July 3 in A.A. History

In 1955, at 4:00 PM in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 2nd International Convention, Bernard Smith [right], the non-alcoholic Chairman of the Alcoholics Anonymous Board of Trustees, called to order the only “open” session of the General Service Conference ever held, which was the final session of the 5th such conference. He said,

    We have completed in four days all of the tasks that have been allotted to us, save only one: that is the adoption of the resolution authorizing the General Service Conference to act for Alcoholics Anonymous and to become the successor to its co-founders. Only this Conference, in all humility, has the power, within the concepts of A.A., to adopt this resolution, and only after it has evidence of the acceptance by all of A.A., in this Convention assembled.

    He then introduced Bill W. [left: at podium in St. Louis], who spoke briefly and read the proposed resolution. The attendees responded with loud approval. Smith requested and received a motion for the Conference to formally adopt the resolution that had just been overwhelmingly approved by the Convention, which was seconded. The Conference Delegates voted unanimously in favor, marking what Bill described as the “Coming of Age” of Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1965, at 10:25 PM during the 4th International Convention in Toronto, Ontario [right], A.A.’s “Responsibility Declaration” was adopted. Ninety delegates and members from around the world emerged from behind a large banner at the back of the stage, which depicted the A.A. triangle within a circle, symbolizing the globe. They joined the Trustees who were already seated. The audience of approximately 10,000 stood, joined hands, and, led by Bill and Lois W., thunderously recited the Responsibility Declaration in unison:

    I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.

    This Declaration was written for the occasion by Class B Trustee Howard Alfred “Al” S. [left]. It has since been printed, quoted, and recited countless times. Attempts to modify the wording at General Service Conferences to make it more specific to alcoholics and less inclusive have been made at least twice, but all have failed—largely due to the absurdity of trying to retroactively alter the historical event that took place that day in Toronto.

Today in A.A. History—July 3–5

In 1970, nearly 11,000 attendees from every state and province, along with participants from 28 foreign countries, gathered in Miami, Florida, for the 5th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous to celebrate its 35th anniversary [right].

Today in A.A. History—July 3–6

In 1980, approximately 22,500 people attended the 7th International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, celebrating A.A.’s 45th anniversary [left]. The planning had anticipated 25,000 attendees, resulting in a loss of $208,000 [~$811,500 in 2025]. The keynote theme was “The Joy of Living.” This event featured the first screening of the film Markings on the Journey, the inaugural Archives Workshop, the first “genuine” marathon meeting, and the first events specifically for gays and lesbians. Marty M. [right, 1980] was one of the featured speakers.

    During the main meeting on Sunday, July 6, a candle from the Marathon Meeting was brought to the stage and blown out by Pete, who had been sober for only two days. He had been drinking and approached a conventioneer to ask about the meaning of his badge. He was immediately 12th-stepped and taken to the Marathon Meeting. The Superdome crowd erupted in deafening applause. Reportedly, Pete stayed sober. 

    Then, a speaker not on the program went the microphone: “My name is Bob S., and I’m in Al-Anon.” The audience was puzzled. Bob [left] continued, “I am probably the only person here today who was present when Bill met Dr. Bob.” The crowd gasped. “I am Dr. Bob’s only son!” The audience erupted into tears and wild applause.

July 2 in A.A. History

In 1936, Paul S. [right], who had met Dr. Bob S. in January, became A.A. #5^* in Akron, Ohio. Paul’s story, “Truth Freed Me!” appeared in the first edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. The following February, he would introduce his brother, Dick, to the program.

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^* Note: Other sources say he was #11; different lists provide differing numberings.

In 2000, the 20 millionth copy of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was presented to the Al-Anon Family Groups during the 2000 International Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which celebrated A.A.’s 65th anniversary.

Today in A.A. History—July 2–4

In 1965, an estimated 10,400 people from 32 countries attended the 4th International Convention, celebrating A.A.’s 30th anniversary in Toronto, Ontario [left: big meeting in Maple Leaf Gardens]. Local hotels and motels were fully booked, leading to the first-ever provision of free busing for attendees.

    Among the speakers was non-alcoholic Trustee Bernard Smith [right], who remarked:

You have something great and awesome going for you. Treat it tenderly, respect what it has done for you and what it can do for others… As long as one man dwells in the darkness you once knew, you cannot rest; you must try to find him and help him become one of you… By the grace of God, may A.A. last for all time!

At the Convention, a packet of pamphlets titled The Best of Bill was introduced. Each packet included five A.A. Grapevine essays by Bill W. on “Faith,” “Fear,” “Honesty,” “Humility,” and “Love.”

Additionally, a pocket-sized gift edition of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions was introduced [left]. Finally, the film Bill’s Own Story [right] premiered to overflowing audiences throughout the weekend.

    A historic moment occurred when Bill suggested that the crowd join hands to recite the Lord’s Prayer, closing the big meeting at Maple Leaf Gardens (the first International Convention to do so).
    Non-alcoholic Trustee Harrison Trice requested a beer at the Royal York bar, only to be sternly told by the bartender, “No slips in here, brother.”

Today in A.A. History—July 2–5

In 2015, the 14th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Atlanta, Georgia, celebrating A.A.’s 80th anniversary [right: big meeting in Georgia Dome]. During the event, the 35 millionth copy of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was presented to Sister Judith Ann Karam of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the same religious order as Sister Ignatia.

In 2020, the 15th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous, which was set to celebrate A.A.’s 85th anniversary in Detroit, Michigan, had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic [left: Ford Field, proposed site of big meetings at the 2020 International Convention].

July 1 in A.A. History

In 1863, after dark, Gardner Fayette Griffith (Bill W.’s maternal grandfather) [right] arrived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with the 14th Vermont Regiment.They had been force-marched 130 miles [~210 km] in over 7 days from Washington, DC, to join the Union’s Army of the Potomac as General Robert E. Lee’s rebel army invaded Pennsylvania in late June. It rained every day during that week. The regiment took up a position near Cemetery Hill [left: map with gold arrow near the bottom showing their position during Pickett’s Charge].

In 1938, Honor Dealers, based in Newark, New Jersey, which had been founded by Hank P. [right], had to relocate from 11 Hill St. [far left] to a smaller two-room suite (#601) on the 6th floor of 17 Williams St. [near left]. Both locations also served as the service office for what would later become Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1995, the Los Angeles Times published Tony Perry’s article, “AA Quietly Marks 60 Years of Deep Impact on Society” [right: my re-creation]. In this over 2,600-word piece, Perry discusses the tens of thousands who were celebrating Alcoholics Anonymous’ 60th anniversary in San Diego, as well as the history of the Fellowship and its program of recovery.

In 2000, Nancy F. spoke at the Metrodome during the Saturday night session of the 11th International Convention, which celebrated A.A.’s 65th anniversary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Though she was petite and had to stand on a platform to reach the microphone, her spirited presence evoked thunderous applause and cheers of “More!” from the crowd.

In 2002, the first meeting of the month-long Online Service Conference commenced, with approximately 49 interested members representing about 32 online groups in attendance. From the invitation to the conference: 

    The concept of a self-contained general service conference for the online AA world has been, and will continue to be, controversial. Your group’s participation in this exploratory July meeting by sending a rep does not imply your group’s membership in an eventual conference, or even agreement to its principles. It’s just an opportunity for your group to be present at what may someday prove to be another historic moment in AA history.

In 2003, the third meeting of the month-long Online Service Conference commenced, with 43 groups represented. Including alternates and steering committee members, total attendance reached 57.

Today in A.A. History—July 1–3

In 1863, Gardner Fayette Griffith (Bill W.’s maternal grandfather) served in Company B of the 14th Vermont Regiment. This unit was merged with the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th Regiments to create the 2nd Vermont Brigade, which was assigned to the 1st Army Corps.
    John C. Williams later said of these men,

    The regiment bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Gettysburg, and was highly complimented, both by Gen. Stannard, Brigade Commander, and by Gen. Abner Doubleday, the commandant of the division. Though exposed to the severest fire of the enemy, not a man shirked his duty, but all stood their ground, ‘as though rooted to the earth.’ The 2d Vt., brigade being placed in the front line, in the center position, —the most important in the whole line, for nearly twenty-four hours, it gallantly repelled a vigorous attack, by an overwhelming force of seventeen thousand rebels, and after sustaining a terrific fire from seventy-five to one hundred pieces of artillery, the result of which contributed essentially towards achieving one of the most glorious and decisive victories of the war. The casualties of the fourteenth regiment were twenty-five killed and seventy-five wounded.

In 1955, an estimated 5,000 registrants attended the 2nd International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrating A.A.’s 20th anniversary. However, the actual number of paid registrations was only 3,800, resulting in an operating deficit of $25,000 [~$300,000 in 2025], which accounted for 10% of the entire annual budget for the New York office and the Trustees. General Manager Hank F. G.^*, Dennis Manders, and the Trustees agreed that this should be A.A.’s last convention, as the Fellowship could not sustain such significant losses. However, when this recommendation was presented at the 1956 General Service Conference, it was rejected.

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^* Source says “Hank C.”, which I think is a mistake.

In 1960, an official estimate reported that 10,000 people attended the 3rd International Convention in Long Beach, California, celebrating A.A.’s 25th anniversary. However, the actual number of paid registrants was closer to 8,700. Despite this, the Convention generated an operating surplus of $600 [~$6,500 in 2025]. Both Long Beach and San Francisco expressed interest in hosting the event, and the final decision was made by a coin toss between the Delegates from Southern and Northern California. The Trustees required local groups to raise sufficient funds to ensure there would be no financial loss and later agreed to match whatever amount was raised, a practice that continued until 1975. While the full story of the event is both fascinating and lengthy, one memorable detail is that they ran out of coffee!

Today in A.A. History—July 1–4

In 1993, six or seven thousand A.A. members and friends from Canada, the U.S., South America, Europe, and Asia gathered in Toronto, Ontario, to celebrate 50 years of Alcoholics Anonymous in Canada. The event featured participants from countries such as Mexico, the West Indies, Brazil, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, and Sri Lanka. The comprehensive program included 31 speaker meetings, 26 panels, 40 marathon meetings lasting 50 hours, and two talkathons.

In 2010, despite the ongoing threat of bad weather from the remnants of Hurricane Alex^*, approximately 53,000 people attended the 13th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous in San Antonio, Texas, themed “A Vision For You” [left: a Big Meeting at the Alamodome].
    During the event, the 30 millionth copy of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was presented to Rebecca Patchin, former chair of the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees.

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^* Hurricane Alex's spiral bands brought tropical storm-force winds to southern Texas, reaching a peak of 51 mph [82 km/h] in Port Isabel. The storm also set rainfall accumulation records, caused a storm surge of at least 3.5 feet [1.1 meters] that eroded beaches, and spawned nine tornadoes, all rated EF0. The storm dissipated on July 6 [below: Hurricane Alex making landfall on Mexico at peak intensity on July 1; track map of Hurricane Alex, showing the location of the storm at 6-hour intervals. The color represents the storm's maximum sustained wind speeds as classified in the Saffir–Simpson scale, and the shape of the data points represent the nature of the storm, according to the legend below]. 

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