Timeline: A History of Girl Scouts in the USA (1860-1941)
Oct. 31, 1860 - Birth of Juliette Gordon
December 12, 1886 - Juliette Gordon Marries William Mackay Low
1910 - Girl Guide movement begins in England
1911 - Juliette meets Sir Robert Baden-Powell,
founder of Boy Scouts in England, and his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell founder of Girl
Guides in England.
Juliette starts a Girl Guide company (troop) in the Scottish valley where she is spending
the summer
1912 - March 12, Juliette Gordon Low establishes
the first Girl Guide troop in the U.S. with 18 girls Margaret Daisy Gordon, Juliette's
niece, becomes the first registered Girl Guide in America. 108 girls enrolled as members
following the first troop meeting
The Tenderfoot Pin, (the trefoil), is chosen as the symbol to be used by Girl Guides
Camp Juliette Low is established in Georgia - only camp personally established by Juliette
Low
Thanks Badge, an adult award, is introduced.
1913 - Girl Scouts becomes the new name for Girl
Guides in America
W.J. Hoxie prepares the first official G.S. handbook, “How Girls Can Help Their
Country”
June 1, National Headquarters established in Washington, D.C.
1914 - Trefoil design for membership badges is patented and becomes the official membership symbol. By now, 22 proficiency badges are in existence
1915 - Girl Scout membership reached 200 troops,
5,000 girls
Juliette Low sells her pearls to support the Girl Scout Movement
A Constitution and Bylaws are adopted at the First National Convention held in Washington,
DC
Juliette Gordon Low is elected National President of the Girl Scouts, 1915-1920
National membership dues of 25 cents adopted
1916 - G.S. national headquarters is moved to New
York City
Juliette Gordon Low introduced the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award - the highest award for
girls in Girl Scouting
The first Brownie-age troop is organized in Marblehead, Massachusetts
1917 - Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, the country's First
Lady, becomes the first honorary president of Girl Scouts, a tradition that continues
today
Editorial Department is established at National Headquarters
The first issue of The Rally, a monthly publication for girls and leaders begins
First troop of physically disabled girls in the United States is organized in New York
City
The first National Training School for Girl Scout leaders is established in Boston
1918 - Design of the Girl Scout Pin to include the letters "GS"
1919 - Concept of an International Council of Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts began
Taps introduced at the First International Conference in Oxford England
The Golden Eaglet Award replaces the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award (they were different)
The Golden Eaglet, a black-and-white silent film, premiered in New York City's Fine Arts
Theater on January 16th. Believed to be the first motion picture produced by a
public service organization
First nationwide celebration of Girl Scout Week; the week beginning on the Sunday that
included JGL's birthday, October 31.
First Blue Book of Rules published
1920 - At this time there are nearly 100 Girl Scout
Councils in 11 states and the territory of Hawaii, with almost 70,000 girl members and
over 3,000 troops
Juliette Low retires as President of Girl Scouts and takes the title "Founder of Girl
Scouts"
October 31 becomes known as Founders Day in Girl Scouts
First International Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts held in England
The U.S.A. introduced the song "Taps" to the Girl Guide and Girl Scout movement
Scouting for Girls, new handbook is published.
This was the first handbook prepared by the national organization rather than by Juliette
Low. It included sections on map making, sewing an American flag, and marching according
to U.S. Infantry drill regulations.
American Girl magazine is published, titled changed from The Rally
Camp Andree Clark established as the first national Girl Scout camp, Briar Cliff Manor, NY
1922 - Field News, a monthly bulletin for Girl Scout leaders, began publication
1923 - The name Field News changes to The Girl
Scout Leader
Formal training is made a requirement for leaders
Design of the Girl Scout pin changed - the eagle's shield now had seven stars, placed in
two rows and seven stripes
1924 - Nov. 6 - Norman Rockwell draws Girl Scout
cover for Life Magazine
International Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts held in England
1926 - Camp Edith Macy at Briar Cliff Manor, NY is
opened as a national training center
Fourth International Conference held at Camp Edith Macy with representatives from 29
countries
Program to include Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9
Brown Book for Brown Owls published as the first official leader's guide to program for
USA Brownie Girl Scouts
1927 - First group of U.S. Girl Scouts goes to an
international event in Switzerland
Juliette Gordon Low dies
Juliette Low Memorial Fund is established in her memory to support projects and events
promoting international understanding
Girl Scout handbook is revised
First United States Girl Scout Troops on Foreign Soil are registered
First celebration of Thinking Day, February 22
1928 - International Council is replaced by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is formed
1929 - At the end of the year there are over 200,000 Girl Scouts
1930 - World Flag design is adopted
First all-Native American Girl Scout troop registers at the Indian Boarding School in
Pawnee, Oklahoma
1932 - March 12 is designated as the official Girl
Scouts birthday
Our Chalet opened in Adelboden, Switzerland, a gift of Mrs. Helen Storrow of Boston
1933 - The Girl Scout handbook is transcribed in large type
1934 - Mariner Scout program officially launched
The first documented council-wide cookie sale of commercially baked cookies, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
1936 - First nationally franchised Girl Scout cookie sale
1937 - 25th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the
United States
National and International Silver Jubilee encampment held at Camp Andree Clark; 100 girls
from the USA and 26 other countries came together to celebrate
1938 - Girl
Scout membership reached one half million
Girl
Scout program reorganized into three separate groups:
Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9,
Intermediate Girl Scouts, ages 10-13 and
Senior Girl Scouts ages 14-17
Over
1 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold
1939 - The Girl Scout Chalet, a replica in
miniature of Our Chalet in Switzerland, opened at the New York World's Fair. Served as a
headquarters for Girl Scouts and their friends. Displayed and sold Girl Scout Equipment
Our Ark opens in London, England
Over 2 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold
1940 - Curved Bar award introduced. The Curved Bar
was the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1940 until 1963. Open only to First Class Girl
Scouts, it served as a bridge to Senior Girl Scouting. The embroidered arc patch was used
at first because of metal shortage during the war. The Curved Bar pin, introduced in the
fall of 1947, was used until 1963, when the award was discontinued.
First Girl Scout troops for mentally and socially handicapped
girls are registered (in institutions)
1941 - Wing Scout program developed for Senior Girl Scouts - emphasis on the study of flying and aviation
Timeline: A History of Girl Scouts in the USA (1942-1971)
1943 - First Girl Scout calendar is produced for
council fund raisers
"A Million or more by 44" was the membership objective
1944 - Girl Scout check for 15,430,000 hours of
service given to FDR
Senior Girl Planning Conference held at Camp Edith Macy
1 million members register in Girl Scouts
A Liberty Ship, "S.S. Juliette Low" of the Merchant Marines is launched
More than 1/4 million girls go to Girl Scout camps
1945 - First Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Forest is dedicated
1946 - The World Badge adopted at the 11th World Conference in France
1947 - The name of the organization officially changes to Girl Scouts of the United States of America
1948 - The U.S. Postal Service issues a 3 cent
commemorative stamp honoring Juliette Gordon Low. 750,000 stamps are sold in Savannah on
the first day of issue
Design of the World Badge was adopted at the 12th World Conference in Cooperstown, NY
1949 - WAGGGS Pin introduced in the USA
Almost 1.5 million are registered in Girl Scouts
1950 - GSUSA is re-incorporated under a Congressional Charter
1951 - First Brownie Girl Scout Handbook for girls
is published
North Atlantic Girl Scouts (NORAGS) established
1952 - Rockwood, in Potomac, Maryland dedicated as a National Girl Scout camping center (1952-1979)
1953 - GSUSA purchases Juliette Gordon Low's
birthplace in Savannah, Georgia
Site of Our Cabana is acquired by WAGGGS
Annual Girl Scout week celebration is changed from October to March
1956 - Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace is
dedicated, October 19
First Senior Girl Scout Round-Up in Michigan: 5,000 girls attended
1957 - 3 million members in Girl Scouts
The first world center for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in the Western Hemisphere , Our
Cabana, opens in Cuernavaca, Mexico
1958 - The Girl Scout headquarters in New York City are dedicated (not the present headquarters)
1959 - Our Ark moved to Earls Court, London,
England
2nd Senior Roundup near Colorado Springs with 10,000 people in attendance
1960 - Juliette Low Centennial is celebrated
1962 - 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts
The Girl Scout Rose and Brownie Girl Scout Marigold developed to honor Girl Scouts
Post Office issues a 4 cent commemorative Girl Scout stamp
3rd Roundup for Senior Girl Scouts is held in Vermont, 10,000 people attending
1963 - Girl Scouts are divided into 4 age groups:
Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9
Junior Girl Scouts, ages 9-11
Cadette Girl Scouts, ages 12-14
Senior Girl Scouts, ages 14-17
Under the new program introduced in 1963, the old Intermediate Girl Scout badges were
divided into two groups to fit the interests and abilities of Junior and Cadette Girl
Scouts. Junior Girl Scout badges (green borders) were aimed at exploration, rather than
concentration on any given skill. Cadette Girl Scout badges (yellow borders) emphasized
intensive work in particular areas of specialization.
New handbooks and leaders' guides are published
Junior program to include the Sign of the
Arrow and the Sign of the Star
Our Ark is renamed Olave House
First Class was the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1963 - 1980. To receive the award,
a Cadette Girl Scout had to earn several badges and meet four challenges, each of which
was recognized with a pin. A challenge was a selected real-life situation designed to test
a girl's ability to use knowledge and skill based on Girl Scout ideals and values
1964 - First Reader's Digest Foundation Grants are
provided for Senior Girl Scout troops to do community service projects
Girl Scout handbook is published in Braille
Ryukyu Islands Girl Scout stamp was released to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Ryukyuan
Girls Scouts. The Ryukyuan Girl Scouts were united with Japanese organization after return
of the islands in 1972.
1965 - Brownie handbook is published in Spanish
4th Senior Roundup at Farragut, Idaho
1966 - Sangam, the fourth World Center, opens in Poona, India
1968 - Campus Girl Scouts becomes an official part
of Girl Scouts
National Center West, Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming is established
1969 - Eco Action, a nationwide environmental education and improvement project is launched
1970 - 30 millionth member of GSUSA is registered
Timeline: A History of Girl Scouts in the USA (1972- present)
1972 - New wording of Girl Scout Promise and Law
are adopted
Eight new Cadette Challenges are introduced
1973 - Portrait of Juliette Low is presented to the
National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Brownie membership is extended to 6 year olds
Brownie B's introduced
1974 - Bust of Juliette Low is placed in Georgia's Hall of Fame
1975 - Over 123 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold
1976 - More that 150 Girl Scouts, 14-17 are
delegates to the National Convention
Edith Macy National Center celebrates 50th anniversary
1977 - Worlds to Explore: Handbook for Brownie and
Junior Girl Scouts is published
The Five Worlds of Interest in Girl Scouting are introduced
Junior Aide patch and Bridge to Juniors are introduced
1978 - Contemporary version of Girl Scout trefoil
is launched as the official emblem featuring three-profile silhouettes of girls' faces
From Dreams to Reality, a career exploration project for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts is
published
Girl Scouts prepare to celebrate the UN's 'Year of the Child'
1979 - Juliette Low is inducted into the National
Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY
American Girl magazine ceases publication
1980 - The Silver Award and the Gold Award becomes
the second highest and highest awards in Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts
Sign of the Rainbow, Sign of the Star, Sign of the Satellite and Bridge to Cadettes
introduced into the Junior Girl Scout program
1982 - Girl Scouts celebrate 70th anniversary
Edith Macy Conference Center dedicated
April 22 is established as Girl Scout Leader Day
Lifetime memberships are offered to adults for the first time
1983 - The Juliette Gordon Low Federal Complex is opened in Savannah, Georgia. This is the second Federal building to be named after a woman.
1984 - Daisy Girl Scout age level program for 5
year olds or girls in kindergarten is launched
Delegates vote to change the wording of the Girl Scout Promise
1985 - Contemporary issues resource, Tune Into Well-Being, Say No To Drugs introduced
1986 - Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its are introduced
Contemporary issues resource, Staying Safe, Preventing Child Abuse introduced
The Sign of the World introduced into the Junior program
1987 - Girl Scout 75th anniversary celebrated;
theme, Tradition with a Future
The Post Office issues a stamp to commemorate GSUSA
1989 - The National Historic Preservation Center opens at National Headquarters
1991 - Earth Education programs introduced
1992 - Pilot program began at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women for the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program
1996 - New wording for Girl Scout law is adopted
New, separate handbooks for Cadettes and Seniors are published
1997 - 85th anniversary of Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts from all across the United States meet on the mall in Washington, DC, to sing
songs in honor of 85th anniversary
New interest project book for Cadettes and Seniors is published, stressing community
service and career exploration in every badge
Girl Scouts continues to be the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world
1998 - Byram Twp. Girl Scout Troop 645 established
Post Office issues a stamp honoring Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
Over 2.5 million girls and 800,000 adult members
1999 - Thursday March 11, 1999, a new honorary troop is formed consisting of women members of Congress. The event "celebrated the fact that two-thirds of all the female members of Congress serving today are former Girl Scouts."
2000 - Daisy Program Revised, petals introduced
Brownie Program Revised
2001 - Junior Program Revised
Bronze Award for Junior Girl Scouts introduced, the highest award for Junior Girl Scouts
Independent Girl Scout are now called “Juliettes”
Cadette/Senior uniforms change from royal blue to khaki, light blue blouse for Cadettes,
navy blue blouse for Seniors
2002 - 90th Anniversary of Girl Scouts
Today there are 3.7 million Girl Scouts — 2.7 million girl members and 915,000 adult
members.
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