American Legion History
The Founding of the American Legion
On March 15 through 17, 1919, The American Legion was founded in Paris at the first caucus by members of the American Expeditionary Force.
On May 19, 1919 the caucus meeting in St. Louis adopted “The American Legion” as the organization’s official name. The Legion’s draft constitution was approved, and so was its preamble, which begins: “For God and Country, we associate ourselves together…” The preamble, with its heartfelt dedication to freedom and democracy, is still recited today at official gatherings of The American Legion.
On June 9, 1919, the National Executive Committee of The American Legion adopted the Legion Emblem.
On Sept. 16, 1919, the United States Congress chartered The American Legion.
During Nov. 10-12, 1919 The American Legion convenes its first annual convention in Minneapolis, MN where The American Legion’s Constitution and Preamble are adopted. Delegates vote 361-323 to locate the Legion’s National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN, rather than Washington, D.C. The Delegates also pass a resolution supporting the Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units that involve 64,000 youths.
On Aug. 9, 1921, the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration, is created as a direct result of efforts by The American Legion. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On June 15, 1923, the first “Flag Code” is drafted during a conference called by The American Legion in Washington, D.C. The code eventually was adopted by Congress in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to gain a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration.
On July 17, 1925, the American Legion Baseball program is created. Today, more than 60 percent of professional baseball players are graduates of The American Legion Baseball program. About 89,000 high-school-age youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year.
For further information on our history you can go to: Legion History