Alcoholics Anonymous Founders' Day

History of Alcoholics Anonymous Founders' Day

On June 10th 1935, in Akron, Ohio, the organization that would become Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by William G. Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith. Wilson, a New York stockbroker and alcoholic, received help to get sober from the Oxford Group. He also tried to help others with their sanity but failed. During a business trip to Akron in June 1935, he felt the need to drink. Instead, he came in contact with Smith, an Akron surgeon and alcoholic who had also sought help from the Oxford Group. However, Smith was still not fully awake. With Wilson's support, Smith was able to run out of energy. June 10 is his sober day.

On that day, Wilson and Smith decided that they would continue to work to stay sober by getting support from others struggling with alcoholism. They defined alcoholism as "a disease of the mind, emotions, and body" and began helping alcoholics at Akron City Hospital. Their group grew, and then in 1935 a similar group was formed in New York, and in 1939 a third group was formed in Cleveland. After four years, about 100 alcoholics had become sober in three groups.

One book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was written by Wilson and published in 1939 and presents the Twelve Steps to Organizational Recovery. Following the book's publication, as well as other media attention, Anonymous Alcoholics expanded dramatically. By 1950, there were an estimated 100,000 recovered alcoholics in the group. That same year, in Cleveland, Anonymous Alcoholics held their first international conference. And then, the organization's Twelve Traditions were adopted. Today, in the United States, there are an estimated 55,000 Alcoholics groups comprising 1.2 million members.

How to celebrate Alcoholics Anonymous Founders' Day

There are several different ways to mark the date:

• Attend an official Founders Day event in Akron or an event held in another city.
• Read Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Read or subscribe to AA Grapevine.
• Read or get more information about the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Reach out to someone currently struggling with alcohol or who has benefited from Alcoholics Anonymous.
• If you are struggling with alcoholism, perhaps today is the day to consider Alcoholics Anonymous. Find a chapter near you.