The American Legion

A brief History of The American Legion

March 15-17, 1919

The American Legion is founded in Paris at the first caucus by members of the American Expeditionary Force.

May 9, 1919

Caucus meeting in St. Louis adopts "The American Legion" as the organization's official name. The Legion's draft constitution is approved, and so is its preamble, which begins: "For God and Country, we associate ourselves together. . ." The preamble, with its heartfelt dedication to freedom and democracy, is still recited today at official gatherings of The American Legion.

June 9, 1919

The National Executive Committee of The American Legion adopts the Legion Emblem.

Sept. 16, 1919

The U.S. Congress charters The American Legion.

Nov. 10-12, 1919

The American Legion convenes its first annual convention in Minneapolis.

Nov. 10-12, 1919

The American Legion's Constitution and Preamble are adopted at the convention in Minneapolis.

Nov. 10-12, 1919

The American Legion passes resolution supporting the Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units that involve 64,000 youths.

Nov. 11, 1919

Delegates to The American Legion's first annual convention in Minneapolis vote 361-323 to locate the Legion's National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., rather than Washington, D.C.

Aug. 9, 1921

The U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration, is created as a result of efforts by The American Legion. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

June 15, 1923

The first "Flag Code" is drafted during a conference called by The American Legion in Washington, D.C. The code eventually was adopted by Congress in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to gain a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration.

July 17, 1925

American Legion Baseball program is created. Today, more than 60 percent of professional baseball players are graduates of The American Legion Baseball program. About 89,000 high-school-age youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year.

1931

Membership in The American Legion increases to more than one million veterans.