From where and why did the American Red Cross obtain/use a "red
cross" as their symbol or logo?
The Answer:
The symbol that the American Red Cross
uses—a red cross on a white background—is used by Red
Cross units around the world. It is the reverse of the flag of Switzerland and
was chosen to represent both the organization's neutrality and honor
the nationality of Jean
Henry Dunant, who first proposed the idea of a voluntary group
dedicated to relief of war victims in 1862.
The organization and its symbol were established at the Geneva Convention of
1864. Here is a link to more information at the official site of the
American Red
Cross.
