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History

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at nearly 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth. Following is a chronology of significant dates in Legion history:

1919 – Founding and Charter

• First caucus held in Paris by American Expeditionary Forces (March 15–17)

• St. Louis Caucus adopts the name “The American Legion” (May 8–10)

• Official emblem adopted (June 9)

• Chartered by Congress (September 16)

• First National Convention held in Minneapolis (November 10–12)

1920s – Establishing Influence

• Helped establish the U.S. Veterans Bureau (1921)

• Drafted the U.S. Flag Code (1923)

• Founded American Legion Baseball (1925)

1930s – Youth Leadership

• Sons of The American Legion recognized (1932)

• First Boys State held (1935)

• Oratorical Contest launched (1938)

1940s – GI Bill and National Impact

• Sons of The American Legion recognized (1932)

• First Boys State held (1935)

• Oratorical Contest launched (1938)

1950s – Mental Health and Youth Support

• Supported national mental health initiatives (1950)

• Founded Child Welfare Foundation (1954)

1960s – POW/MIA Advocacy

• Advocated for Vietnam POW/MIA resolution (1966)

• Created National Emergency Fund (1969)

1970s – Civic Programs

• Halloween Safety Program launched (1972)

• Freedom Bell tours U.S. Bicentennial (1975)

1980s – Vietnam Advocacy and Legal Advances

• $1 million donation to Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1982)

• Agent Orange health study launched (1983)

• VA elevated to Cabinet-level status (1989)

1990s – Flag, Family, and Gulf War Advocacy

• Family Support Network launched (1990)

• Citizens Flag Alliance formed (1994)

• Samsung Scholarships begin (1996)

• First Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award (1997)

2000s – 9/11 Response and New GI Bill

• Legacy Scholarship created after 9/11 (2001)

• “I Am Not A Number” VA advocacy campaign (2002)

• Post-9/11 GI Bill signed into law (2008)

2010s – Modern Reform and Inclusion

• Operation Comfort Warriors wins $250k grant (2010)

• First female National Commander elected – Denise Rohan (2017)

• Forever GI Bill signed into law (2017)

• LEGION Act expands eligibility (2019)

2020s – Pandemic Response

• COVID response included Buddy Checks, aid deliveries, and virtual outreach (2020)

Today

The American Legion has nearly 2 million members across over 13,000 posts worldwide, organized into 55 departments, including all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

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