December 16 in A.A. History

In 1934 [15th? 17th?], Edwin “Ebby” T. [near right] returned to Towns Hospital to visit Bill W. [far right], who had experienced his “white light” spiritual awakening two nights earlier. Ebby heard Bill’s confession (5th Step) and gave him a copy of William James’ Varieties of Religious Experience. Bill later said that he read it “cover to cover,” acknowledging that it was challenging but that he grasped the content. He would later incorporate some of James’ ideas into the A.A. program.

Today in A.A. History—December 16–18

In 1977, Joe McQ. [far left] and Charlie P. [near left] conducted their first public study of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, which they called “The Big Book Comes Alive.” It was held at an unknown hotel in Lawton, Oklahoma, with 35 attendees.