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AA History Timeline
With in-depth information and photos on Alcoholics Anonymous
This Alcoholics Anonymous History Timeline began while serving as editor of the Sobriety Calendar from 2003 through 2005. Organizing the calendars past A.A. history (Started by Charlie Bishop Jr. and currently published by Northern NORMA Corp.) making corrections and including new material involved much time researching the accuracy of the information provided. Recently I have decided to make information available from my files for a growing A.A. database of historical dates for all scholars, archivists, or anyone with an interest in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Contributions of historical dates with references are welcome. The A.A. dates of interest here will include links with information and photos related to its topic.
Check back for additional AA history from this growing database, last update, 02/16/2006
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1842, 1879, 1881, 1887, 1890, 1891, 1893, 1904, 1895, 1915, 1918, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1966,
1969, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002
* Specific Day unknown
1842, Feb. 22 - Abraham Lincoln addresses the Washington Temperance Society in Springfield, IL. 1879, August 8 - Dr. Bob, Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous is Born in St. Johnsbury, VT. 1881, March 21- Anne R. Dr. Bob's wife, was born. 1887, July 22 - William D. Silkworth, M.D., is born in Brooklyn, New York. 1890, Aug. 15 - E. M. Jellinek, PhD author of The Disease Concept of Alcoholism is born. 1891, March 4 - Lois W. was born at 182 Clinton Street, Brooklyn Heights, New York. 1893, Dec. 27 - Rev. Sam Shoemaker is born. He was the U.S.head of the Oxford Group and Calvary Church Pastor in NY. 1895, Nov. 26 - Bill W. is born in East Dorset, Vermont. 1904, Oct. 15 - Marty M. is born in Chicago. An early AA member, she was founder of Nat'l. Comte. For Education on Alcoholism, and author of A Primer on Alcoholism. 1915, Jan. 25 - Dr. Bob and Anne R. are married. 1918, Jan. 24 - Bill and Lois W. are married days before Bill leaves for Europe to serve in the First World War. 1934, Dec. 11 - Bill W. takes his last drink and enters Towns Hosp. in New York City. 1934, Dec. 14, Ebby T. goes to Towns Hospital to visit Bill W. and tells him about the Oxford Group and their principles. 1934, Dec. 18, Bill W leaves Towns Hospital sober. 1935, May 11- In the lobby near the bar of the Mayflower Hotel in Akron, Ohio, Bill W. calls Walter Tunks who tells him to call Henrietta Siberling who introduces him to Dr. Bob. 1935, May 12 - Bill W. and Dr. Bob meet for the first time in Akron, Ohio, at the home of Henrietta Siberling. 1935, June 10 - Bill W. and Dr. Bob found the A.A. Fellowship in Akron, Ohio. 1935, June 15 - Dr. Bob takes his last drink 5 days after the founding of A.A. 1935, June 26 - Bill D., entered Akron's City Hospital for his last detox and his first day of sobriety. (Photos) 1935, June 28 - Dr. Bob and Bill W. visited Bill D. at Akron's City Hospital in Ohio. 1935, July 4 - In Akron, Ohio Bill D., a lawyer, leaves Akron's City Hospital and becomes Alcoholics Anonymous' 3rd member. 1935, Oct. 17 - Ebby T., Bill W.'s boyhood friend who introduced him to the Oxford Group, moves in with Bill and Lois. 1936, Feb. 10 - First A.A. group in Akron, Ohio is set up. 1937, Feb. 13 - Jim B. moves to Philadelphia and starts the first A.A. group there. His story is the "The Vicious
Cycle" in the "Big Book."1937, Feb. * - The Oxford Group's "alcoholic squadron" meets at Hank P.'s home in New Jersey. 1937, Oct. 7 - Bill and Lois W. leave for Akron, Ohio. 1937, Dec. 12 - Bill W. meets with the Rockefeller Foundation to raise money. 1938, Jan. * - Jim B., a former atheist, gives A.A. "God as we understand him." 1938, Jan. 2 - First sale of Works Publishing Company stock recorded. 1938, Jan. 7 - New York A.A. splits from Oxford Group. 1938, Feb. 11 - Clarence S. has his last drink. 1938, April 10 - Eight attend the A.A. weekly meeting at 182 Clinton St., Bill's New York home. 1938, April 11 - Alcoholic Foundation holds their first meeting. 1938, June 15 - First use of the name "Alcoholics Anonymous." 1938, June 16 - Jim B. sobers up, his story in the Big Book is "Vicious Cycle." 1938, Aug. 11 - First meeting of the Alcoholic Foundation. 1938, Sept. 21 - Bill W. and Hank P. form Works Publishing Co. to raise money to to publish the "Big Book." 1939, Nov. 13 - NY AA urges Bill W. to stay on as leader of the "Fellowship" and not hunt for a job, despite
money problems.1938, Dec. 4 - Bill W. begins writing the 12 Steps using Oxford Group ideas while "Plugging the holes an alcoholic might wiggle through." 1939, Jan. 4 - Dr. Bob states in a letter to Ruth Hock that A.A. had to "Get away from the Oxford Group atmosphere."
1939, Feb. * - Dr. Harry Tiebout becomes the first psychiatrist to endorse A.A., and use the A.A. principles in his practice. 1939, Feb. * - 400 copies of the "Big Book" manuscript are sent to doctors, judges, psychiatrists, and
others for their comment. This was referred to as the "Multilith Big Book."1939, April 10 - First 10 copies of The "Big Book" arrive at the A.A. office in Newark, NJ. Corwall Press printed a total 4,650 copies of the first edition on the "Big Book". 1939, April * - The Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book" is published. 1939, April 26 - Bill and Lois W.'s Brooklyn home is foreclosed on. They move in with Hank P., the first
of over 50 moves before they buy a home in 1941.1939, June 5 - The New York Times favorably reviews the "Big Book." 1939, June 16- Bill W. visits Blythewood where Marty M. sobered up. 1939, June 21- A.A. work spreads from Towns Hosp. to asylums in Greystone, NJ and Rockland, NY. 1939, June 25 - New York Times reviewer writes that The Big Book is "More soundly based psychologically than any other treatment I have ever come upon." 1939, July 4 - A.A. meetings start at Harold S.,s home in Flatbush. 1939, July 14 - Blythewood Sanitarium psychiatrist Harry M. Tiebout gives a Big Book to Marty M. who promptly throws it at him. 1939, Aug. 16 - Dr. Bob and Sr. Ignatia admit the first of over 5,000 drunks they will treat at St. Thomas
Hospital in Akron, Ohio over the next 10 years.1939, Aug. 17 - The Christian Science Monitor writes "Breaking The Drink Habit", a book review of the "Big Book". (Article) 1939, Sept. 1 - The first AA group in Chicago is founded. 1939, Sept. 20 - Morris Markey writes the Liberty magazine article, "Alcoholics and God." An unfavorable publication, but Bill W. notes "The Liberty blast will stir things up". 1939, Nov. 11 - Bill and Lois W. visit Cleveland AA founder Clarence S. 1939, Nov. 21 - First west coast AA meeting is held in San Francisco. 1939, Dec. 6 - Bert, the tailor, lends $1,000 to Works Publishing Co. 1939, Dec. 19 - First AA meeting in Los Angeles in a private home takes place. 1940, Jan. * - The first AA meeting not held in a home is at King School, Akron, Ohio. 1940, Feb. 8 - Bill W. and 6 other AA members ask 60 friends of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. for money at the Union Club, NY and receive $2,000. 1940, Feb 8 - The Houston Press runs its first of six anonymous articles on A.A. by Larry J. 1940, Feb. 20 - The first Philadelphia A.A. group is formed. 1940, Feb. 28 - Philadelphia holds their first organizational A.A. meeting at the McCready Hustona's room at 2209 Delancy Street. 1940, March 12 - Ebby T., Bill W.'s boyhood friend and early A.A. sponsor is reported sober again. 1940, March 16 - Alcoholic Foundation office moves from 17-19 Williams St., NJ, to 30 Vesey St. New York. 1940, March 23 - Lois Wilson pays her first visit to the A.A. office on Vesey St., New York City. 1940, April 19 - Little Rock, Arkansas forms their first AA group. 1940, April 23 - Dr. Bob writes trustees to refuse royalties on the "Big Book", but receives them anyway due to Bill W.'s insistence. 1940, May 5 - Washington DC Sunday Star reports the first A.A. group in the nations capital. 1940, June 20 - Some San Quentin prisoners read The Big Book, decide they're alcoholics, and form
one of the first A.A.'s prison groups.1940, July 18 - The Richmond Times Dispatch reported weekly AA meetings will begin in September. 1940, July 23 - A precedent for the 7th Tradition basket is set by the Philadelphia AA group who sent 10 percent of its money to Alcoholic Foundation. 1940, Sept. 24 - Bill W. makes a 12th Step call on Bobbie V. who will replace Ruth Hock as NY's, AA office secretary. 1940, Nov. 12 - First AA meeting is held in Boston, MA. 1940, Dec. 1 - Chicago Daily Tribune began a series of 4 articles on AA by N. Hamilton. 1941, Jan. 3 - Jack Alexander tells Bill W. that the Oxford Group will be in his Saturday Evening Post article on A.A. (Read the article) 1941, Jan. 4 - Bill and Lois W. drive to Bedford Hills to see Stepping Stones and break in through an unlocked window. 1941, Jan. 15 - A.A. bulletin no. 2 reports the St Louis A.A. group has 10 members. 1941, Feb. 15 - Baltimore Sunday Sun reports that the city's first A.A. group that started with three members has grown to forty. 1941, Feb. 20 - The Toledo Blade published the first of three articles on A.A. by Seymour Rothman. 1941, March 1 The Saturday Evening Post Jack Alexander article on AA creates national sensation with a 6,000 member increase over the next year for a total of 8,000. 1941, March 14 - A.A. in South Orange, NJ holds an anniversary dinner at the Hotel Suburban with Bill W. as the guest speaker. 1941, March 15 - New Haven, CT A.A. group is founded. 1941, April 11 - Bill and Lois W. move into Stepping Stones, located at Bedford Hills, New York. 1941, April 19 - Washington, Seattle forms A.A. group. 1941, April 3 - Florida holds their first A.A. meeting. 1941, May 1 - First Wisconsin A.A. meeting is held in a Milwaukee hotel. 1941, May 2 - Jacksonville, FL newspaper reports the start of a new A.A. group. 1941, June 7 - The St. Paul, MN AA group is founded. 1941, June 14 - Kansas City Press reports the Friday A.A. group is composed of "One-time stew bums, barflies and plain drunkards." 1941, Aug. 19 - First AA meeting in Colorado is held in Denver. 1941, Aug. 21 LA Daily News reports on an AA picnic held at Griffith Park Zoo. 1941 Sept. 13 - WHJP in Jacksonville, FL airs "Spotlight on AA" the first radio series on AA. 1941, Oct. 1 - The first New Haven, Connecticut, A.A. group is formed. 1941 Oct. 20 - The White Planes NJ Reporter-Dispatch writes on Eastview AA's work in Westchester Prison. 1941, Nov. 1 - Oklahoma City news reports first mass meeting of 7 guys at Ramsey Tower. "An 8th man was roaring drunk." 1941, Nov. 20 - The Fresno, CA Bee reports 28 newcomers asking for help in the local AA group's first week. 1941, Nov. 29 - Columbus, Ohio press reports 25 active members in local Friday night AA group. 1941, Dec. 11 - The Dallas Morning News reports the first AA group there. 1941 Dec. 31 - San Diego AA holds its first New Years Eve dance in a ballroom in the basement of the
Maryland Hotel on F street.1942, April 12 - The Windsor Daily Star in Ontario, Canada reports over 400 AA members attend a testimonial dinner for Dr. Bob. 1942 May 17- The Journal-Herald in Dayton, Ohio runs a story on AA with photos of members in Halloween masks to protect their anonymity. 1942, June 17 - New York A.A. groups sponsor 1st annual NY area meeting with 424 attending, speakers include Dr. Silkworth and A.A. members. 1942, June 19 - Columnist Earl Wilson reports NYC Police Chief Valentine sent 6 cops to AA and they
sobered up saying, "There are fewer suicides in my files."1942 Oct. 24 - The Los Angeles Times reports California has 14 AA groups. 1942 Nov. 24 - Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick is speaker at Manhattan AA group's 8th anniversary dinner. He gave the first positive review of The Big Book. 1943, Jan. 1 - The Columbus Dispatch reports the first anniversary of the Central Ohio A.A. Group. 1943, Jan. 12 - The press reports about the first AA group in Pontiac, Michigan. 1943, Jan 19 - Canadian newspaper reports 8 men meet at "Little Denmark," a Toronto restaurant, to discuss Canada's first A.A. group. 1943, Feb. * - Federal government granted A.A. members the right to use cars for 12 step work in emergency cases, despite WW II gas rationing. 1943, Feb. * San Francisco Bulletin publishes Marsh Masline's interview with Ricardo, a San Quentin prison A.A. member. 1943, March 29 - The Charleston Mail WV, reports Bill W. talked at St. John's Parish House. 1943, May 2 - New Orleans Times reports the founding of the first Louisiana A.A. group. 1943, May 3 - The Democrat Chronicle in Rochester, NY reports the first annual AA dinner at Seneca Hotel with 60 attending. 1943, May 8 - Akron, Ohio A.A. group has their 8th anniversary with 500 attending. 1943, July 24- Los Angeles Press reports formation of an all-Mexican A.A. Group. 1943, Aug. 1 - The Washington Times Herald, DC reports on an AA clubhouse, but withholds the address to protect member's anonymity. 1943, Aug. 7 - The Harrisburg Patriot, PA runs a story on the anniversary of the local AA group. 1943, Aug. 9 - The LA Times reports an AA picnic at Sycamore Grove took place on Aug. 8 with 400 members attending. 1943 Aug. 25 - The Quincy Patriot, MA reports the donation of a "Big Book" to the local library by the South Shore AA group. 1943, Oct. 4 - Fitz M., New York's third AA member, dies after suffering from cancer. 1943 Oct. 12 - The Des Moines Iowa Register reports AA members from Chicago visited to organize an AA group. 1943 Oct 25 - The Denver Rocky Mountain News reports AA group opens their meeting with two minutes of silent prayer and meditation. 1943 Nov. 13 - First AA group in Fresno, CA, is formed. 1943 Nov. 14 - The Los Angeles Times reports on the first open AA meeting at local veterans hospital. 1943 Nov. 26 - The San Francisco Examiner quotes Bill's opinion, "Women are more difficult than men... more crafty and subtle." 1943, Dec. 2 - The San Quentin News reports "Mr. Bill" speaks to 300 inmates at their AA meeting. 1944, June 21- The first issue of the AA Grapevine is published. 1944, October 23 - Mrs. Marty Mann sheds her anonymity in a two-column Time article titled "Help for Drunkards". A photo of Marty was included in the article. (see photo) 1944, Dec. 3 - Australia is the first country outside the U.S. to have A.A. 1945, March 5 - Time magazine reports on Detroit's WWJ radio station's pioneering broadcast by AA members, the first radio broadcast of its kind in the U.S. (Read the article) 1945, Feb. 12 - During World War II a paper shortage forces a reduction in size of the "Big Book". 1945, June 11 - Cleveland Press reports 2,500 attend A.A.'s 10th Anniversary "shindig." Cleveland had
1,200 of the 20,000 A.A. members at this time in the U.S.1945, Oct. 3 - The AA Grapevine is adopted as the national publication of AA with 3,000 subscribers. 1946, March 31 - "The March of Time," A.A. film is made by the New York AA office. 1947, March 30 - A.A. started in England. 1947, Nov. 1 - Anchorage has the first A.A. group in Alaska. 1949, June 1 - Anne Smith, Dr. Bob's wife, dies at age 68. 1949, Dec. 25 - Dr. Bob visits St. Thomas Hospital's alcoholic ward for the last time where he helped 1,000's of drunks. 1950, July 28 - First AA Convention begins in Cleveland, Ohio, with Twelve Traditions being adopted and Dr. Bob's Farwell talk. 1950, Nov. 16 - Dr. Bob, AA Co-founder, dies. 1952, Jan. * - The AA Grapevine Publishes a memorial issue on Dr. Bob. 1952, Nov. 21 - Rev. Willard S. Richardson dies. He was AA's connection to the Rockefeller Foundation. "Uncle Dick" was Treas. And later Chairman of the Alcoholic Foundation. 1953
1953, April * - Bill W. writes an early 6 step version of the 12 Steps. 1954, Sept. 17 - Bill D. "The man in the bed," dies in Akron, Ohio. 1955 July 1-3 - AA's Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service are turned over to the Fellowship of A.A.-at-large by its old-timers at the 20th Int'l. A.A. Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. 1956, May 7 - The first English A.A. Convention is held in Cheltenham, England. 1957, Oct. 1 - Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age is published. 1959, Feb. * - A.A. grants permission to the blind to record the Big Book on tape. 1959, Nov. 15 - The Big Book is translated in South Africa by Andreis K. The first foreign
language translation of The Big Book.1960, April 4 - Chicago Daily News reports Fr. Edward Dowling, Jesuit Priest dies at age 62. He helped start the first A.A. group in St. Louis. 1960, July 2 - 7,000 attend the 25th A.A. International Convention in Long Beach, CA. 1963 Oct. 22 - E. M. Jellinek, alcoholism researcher, educator, and long-time friend of AA, dies. 1966, March 21 - Ebby T., who Bill W. called his sponsor, dies sober. Letter from Bill W. 1966, April 1- Sister Ignatia "Iggy" dies. 1967, Feb. 19 - Father "John Doe", the first Catholic priest to join A.A. dies. 1969, Oct. 6 - The New York Times reports the death of Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdeck, Minister who wrote one of the first favorable reviews of the "Big Book". 1970 Oct. 10 - Lois W. reads Bill's last message in New York. 1971, Jan. 24 - Bill W. dies in Miami, FL. 1971, Jan. 26 - Bill Wilson's obituary is published on page one of The New York Times 1971, Feb. 14 - A.A. groups worldwide hold a memorial service for Bill W. 1971, June 11 - Ernie G., A.A.'s # 4 dies. 1971 Sept. 22-25, - Over 500 attended the first European Convention of AA in Bristol, England. 1973, April 16 - Dr. Jack Norris, Chairman of the A.A. General Service Board, presents President Nixon with the one-millionth copy of the "Big Book". 1974, May 28 - London holds the first A.A. World Service meeting outside of America. 1975 Sept. 19 - Jack Alexander, author of the Saturday Evening Post articles on AA dies. 1975, Dec. 10 - The A.A. group "Birds of feather." begins for pilots. 1979, Dec. 6 - Akron Beacon Journal reports the death of Henrietta Siberling. 1980, July 22 - Marty M., founder of Nat'l. Comte. For Education about Alcoholism, dies. 1984, Jan. * - Pass it On the story of Bill W. and how the A.A. message reached the world, was published by AAWS.
1984, March 22 - Clarence S., founder of Cleveland AA dies at age 81. 1985, July 6 - At the 50th AA international Convention in Montreal, Ruth Hock is given the five millionth copy of The Big Book. 1988, Jan. 1 - West Virginia Alcoholics Anonymous starts the first state toll-free A.A. telephone hotline. 1988, Jan. 13 - John L. Norris, M.D., (Dr. Jack) a non-alcoholic member of the A.A. General Service Board dies. 1988, Jan. 20 - Hank P. New York A.A. member number 2, who helped Bill W. start the NY office, dies in Pennington, 1988, Oct. 5 - Lois W., widow of Bill W. and Co-founder of Al-Anon, dies at the age of 97. 1988, Oct. 8 - A memorial for Lois Wilson is held at Stepping Stones with 50 family members and friends present. 1988 Oct. 10 - Lois W. is buried next to Bill W. 1993, July 2 - Canada has A.A.'s 50th Anniversary Convention. 1994 Oct. 28 - The Nat'l. Council on Alcoholism has its 50th anniversary in Wash., D.C. 1995, July 5 - At the 55th A.A. International Convention in San Diego, CA, Nell Wing is awarded the ten millionth copy of The "Big Book". 1999, Jan. 19 - Frank M., AA's 2nd Archivist, dies at the age of 64. 2000, May 19 - Dr. Paul O. dies. He was "Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict" story in the Big Book. 2002, Feb. 9- Dr. Bob's daughter, Sue Smith Windows dies. Submit an A.A. historical date you have, or report corrections to aalinkspage@columbus.rr.com