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Our history

  • Story
  • Article
A photograph of a woman in Bangladesh wearing a Red Crescent vest and pink scarf, smiling at the camera.

10 things you might not know about the Red Cross

The Red Cross has been around for more than 150 years - think you know everything about us? We bet you're wrong...

Story
3 minutes
Drawing of a British Red Cross nurse tending to the wounded.

150 year of British Red Cross volunteers

The people who have shaped our organisation

Story
4 minutes
A Christmas card with violet flowers in the middle and the phrase 'Good fortune' on the outer edges, handmade by Florence Nightingale.

A Christmas card from Florence Nightingale

From our archives, a handmade Christmas card from a legendary nurse.

Article
4 minutes
In this piece by the artist Banksy, a child plays with a basket of superhero toys, and is seen lifting a doll dressed as a Red Cross nurse through the air

Why do older images of nurses’ uniforms have a red cross?

The nurse depicted in Banksy's Game Changer artwork bears the red cross emblem - but why?

Article
2 minutes
Constance, a volunteer from the Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) branch of the British Red Cross, 1960s

Black history is British history: a celebration

Our curator introduces an exploration and celebration of Black British history in our online exhibition

Article
2 minutes
A black and white photograph showing a British Red Cross nurse lights cigarette for seated patient, as they both smile

Celebrating nurses through the ages

From WWI to the coronavirus pandemic, let's hear it for the nurses who've looked after us through so much.

Article
3 minutes
The Royal Mint 150th anniversary coin designed to honour 150 years of kindness through the British Red Cross.

Celebrating our 150th on a Royal Mint coin

A look at the inspiration and history behind the design

Article
3 minutes
A close-up image of a section of the original Changi quilt

What is the Changi quilt?

Created by a defiant group of women prisoners during the Second World War, the Changi quilt is packed with secret messages and hidden meanings

Story
3 minutes
A black and white photograph showing a large Red Cross truck arriving in Normandy, with soldiers looking on.

D-Day: How the Red Cross helped in World War II

The Red Cross was involved at every stage of D-Day, planning supply chains, caring for wounded soldiers and more.

Story
4 minutes
A painting showing a long road with a huge cloud of black smoke at the end of it - the Burning of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.

Doris Zinkeisen: WWII frontline artist

Once a society painter, Doris Zinkeisen was the first artist to enter the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp after it was liberated

Article
3 minutes
The Queen stands in front of a Red Cross emergency vehicle

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the British Red Cross

Remembering 70 years with Her Majesty The Queen as our Patron. Here, we take a look back at some moments in that relationship, from her earliest address at our National Conference to comforting service users during their time of need.

Story
3 minutes
A black and white photograph showing two dogs wearing British Red Cross coats and carrying first aid kits

First aiders on four legs

Did you know that during WWI, the Red Cross used trained dogs to help stricken soldiers on the battlefield? True story.

Story
4 minutes

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©2023 British Red Cross The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738), Isle of Man (0752) and Jersey (430).

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