It’s the birthplace of the Red Cross

The Red Cross was founded in 1859 when a young Swiss nobleman named Henri Dunant watched a terrible war in Italy. "Would there not be some means, during a period of peace and quiet, of organizing relief groups whose purpose would be to have the wounded cared for in case of war by enthusiastic, devoted volunteers, well trained for the task?" Dunant wrote upon his return to Geneva.

Dunant, together with five others, founded what is now known as the IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), which proudly utilizes the inverse of the Swiss flag as its symbol. Visit the Red Cross Museum in Geneva for a moving look at the humanitarian work they have done — and continue to do – in crisis zones throughout the world.