Each year new and exciting advancements and decisions
are made in the organization which is today named
Junior Chamber International (JCI). As it is impossible
to list them all, the following are the events
and years in which they occurred, which we truly
regard as landmarks in the history of our worldwide
organization.
1910
The organization began in St. Louis, Missouri,
USA. The founder, Henry Giessenbier, had formed
the Herculaneum Dance Club with the purpose of
bringing about the social elevation of its members.
1915
The first step towards the creation of the Jaycee
movement was taken when 32 young men met at the
Mission Inn in St. Louis on 13 October 1915 to
form the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association
with Giessenbier as its president.
1916
In August, the organization's name was changed
to Junior Citizens, and it was at this time that
the initials "JC" were first employed.
1920
On the 21st and 22nd January, the first national
organization, the United States Junior Chamber
of Commerce (USJCC) was formed. Twenty-nine clubs
around the nation were in attendance and elected
Henry Giessenbier as the first national president.
1920-44
The Jaycee movement crossed international borders.
Organizations were formed in many countries including
Canada, England, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia
and Colombia. The Junior Chamber momement came
to Canada in 1923 with the formation of its first
chapter, the Young Men's Section of the Winnipeg
Board of Trade.
Many actions were taken to form Junior Chamber
International, including the creation of the International
Executive Council of Junior Chambers of Commerce
formed at the Olympic Games in 1932.
1944
Junior Chamber International was born in Mexico
City, Mexico during 7 to 11 December. Witnesses
to the birth of the organization were 30 delegates
from North and Central America. Raul Garcia Vidal
was elected the first president.
1946
In February, the first JCI World Congress was
held in Panama City, Panama, with an attendance
of 44 delegates from 16 countries. At this time,
a Constitution was drafted. Also this year a young
Jaycee member, Mr. C. William 'Bill' Brownfield,
authored the Jaycee Creed.
1952
The JCI Senate was formed through the efforts
of Phil Pugsley, the 1951 JCI president, at the
7th JCI World Congress in Melbourne, Australia.
1953
The first permanent World Headquarters was established
at the United States Jaycees War Memorial Headquarters
Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Philip Van Slyck
was hired as JCI's first full-time Secretary General.
1955
The rapidly growing World Headquarters moved to
its own building in Miami Beach, Florida, USA.
1969
The current World Headquarters was built in Coral
Gables, Florida, USA to commemorate the 25th anniversary
of Junior Chamber International.
1972
At the 38th JCI World Congress in Taipei, the
organization's name was changed from Junior Chamber
International to Jaycees International.
1983
Honorees were recognized at the first Outstanding
Young Persons ceremony at the 38th JCI World Congress
in Taipei, Taiwan.
1988
At the 39th JCI World Congress in Sydney, Australia,
the organization's name was again changed from
Jaycees International to Junior Chamber International.
1989
1989 was an historic year for JCI as services
were extended to the Eastern Bloc countries of
Estonia (USSR), Poland and Hungary.
