FOUR FOUNDING MOMENTS IN AA. HISTORY

The four "founding moments" cited by Ernest Kurtz in his book, Not-God (33) are:

1.   1931 - Psychiatrist Carl Jung recommends a religious conversion experience to one of his patients, Rowland Hazard, "a certain American business man" (26-28), as a solution to his alcohol problem.

2.   November, 1934 - Ebby Thatcher carries message of hope and recovery to Bill Wilson (8-12).

3.   December, 1934 - Bill Wilson has "hot flash" in Towns Hospital during third and last treatment (14). Introduced to William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience. Reading helps place "hot flash" within context of conversion of a spiritual experience (see Chapter 1, "Bill's Story").

4.   May to June, 1935 - Interactions between Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Akron, Ohio culminates with Dr. Bob's last drink on June 10; AA born (Founder's Day).

MEMORABLE DATES

1931-1932                     Rowland H. visits Dr. Carl Jung in Switzerland for treatment of chronic alcoholism. The treatment does not work. Dr. Jung explains the concept of a spiritual experience and a complete psychic change. Rowland H. returns home and joins the Oxford Group. He remained sober until his death.

1933                           Bill W. begins the first of four hospitalizations for alcoholism

August 1934                 Rowland H. saves Ebby T. from being committed for chronic drunkenness. Ebby T. joins the Oxford Group and gets sober.

November 1934            Ebby T. carries message of hope and recovery to Bill W.

December 11, 1934         Bill W. takes his last drink and enters Towns Hospital. Has conversion experience (spiritual awakening) the second or third day following admission.

May 12, 1935               Bill W. introduced to Dr. Bob in Akron, Ohio, by fellow Oxford Group member Henrietta Seiberling.

June 10, 1935               Dr. Bob's last drink; AA is born (Founder's Day).

June 26, 1935              Bill D., “The Man in the Bed” becomes sober Alcoholic #3. Bill D. had 19 years of sobriety when he passed away.

July 4, 1935                The first group of AA is formed in Akron, OH (now known as the birthplace of AA)

September 1935           Bill returns home from Akron; AA begins in New York City.

September 1937           Florence Rankin becomes first female member of AA. Her story, "A Feminine Victory," appears in the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Fall 1937                     Bill W. and Dr. Bob meet in Akron. There are 40 sober alcoholics. Bill and Dr. Bob try to figure out how to spread the word.

Winter 1937                New York AA's separate from the Oxford Group.

May 1938                    Bill W. forms the Alcoholics Foundation

Summer 1938               Bill W., Dr. Bob, and the first 40 decide to write the Big Book (Bill W. had the most sobriety with 3 ½ years)

December 1938            Twelve Steps written by Bill W. on tablet of yellow scratch paper while laying in bed at the Wilson home at 182 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York. (PIO; 197)

April 1939                    Alcoholics Anonymous published (Forward written by Bill W.) by Works Publishing Company

September 1939           The Liberty Magazine publishes an article on AA: “Alcoholics and God”

Winter 1939                Akron AA's withdraw from Oxford Group; AA is on its own.

1940                          The Akron Manual: A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous is published

March 1941                  First women's group formed in Cleveland, Ohio

March 1941                  Jack Alexander article, "Alcoholics Anonymous", in Saturday Evening Post causes great public interest in Fellowship.

1942                          First prison group; San Quentin, California

June 1944                   First issue of AA Grapevine published.

July 1950                    AA's First International Convention begins in Cleveland Ohio. Twelve Traditions formally adopted. Dr. Bob gives his last public talk. Reminds Cleveland audience of the "simplicity of our program," and implores, "Let's not louse it all up with Freudian complexes and things that are interesting to the scientific mind, but have very little to do with our actual work." (DB; 338).

November 16, 1950       Dr. Bob passes away.

April 1953                  "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions," is published outlining a structure for A.A.

May 1951                    Al-Anon founded by Lois Wilson and Anne B.

July 1955                   AA Comes of Age (Annual General Service Conference)

1956                          Second edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published (Forward written by Bill W.)

January 23, 1961           Bill W. writes letter of gratitude to Dr. Carl Jung. (On January 30, 1961, Dr. Jung responded to Bill’s letter.

April 26, 1962               The 12 Concepts are introduced and accepted at the 12th Annual General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous; The General Service Manual and the 12 Concepts are published.

March 21, 1966             Ebby Thatcher passes away (with 2 ½ years of sobriety)

January 24, 1971          Bill W. passes away.

1976                          Third edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published.

2001                          Fourth edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published.