February 8 in A.A. History

1939:Bill W. replied to a letter dated February 6 from Janet Blair, one of the two paid editors of the manuscript for what would become the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. In her letter, she addressed suggested changes to the proposed first two chapters. She also recommended a smoother transition from “Bill’s Story” to “There is a Solution,” a suggestion that both Bill and Hank P. accepted, which has remained in all four editions. Bill thanked Blair for having “the perception to understand what it is I want to say and the ability to say it so well. You have certainly cleared up our manuscript.”

1940: John D. Rockefeller, Jr. [far left] arranged a dinner for Alcoholics Anonymous at the Union League Club [near right] in New York City. Out of 400 invited guests [center right: invitation; far right: menu], 75 attended. Due to illness, John D. was unable to host, so his son Nelson [near left] took over the responsibility. The dinner garnered significant positive publicity for A.A. and raised $2,200 [~$50,900 in 2026] from attendees, including John D. himself giving $1,000 [~$23,100 in 2026]. This group would continue to contribute about $3,000 [~$69,500 in 2026] each year until 1945, when they were asked to stop. In line with A.A.’s 7th Tradition, all contributions from non-alcoholics were eventually repaid.
    Paul S. [far left] accompanied Dr. Bob S. [near left] to the dinner. He also persuaded Frank Amos [right], a Rockefeller associate, that Dr. Bob needed financial assistance to continue his work with alcoholics. Paul suggested that John D. Rockefeller quietly provide a monthly stipend for at least two years, which he did. Ultimately, some of these funds were also allocated to Bill W. [near right] and Hank P. [far right].

1940: The Houston Press in Texas published the first of six anonymous articles about Alcoholics Anonymous, written by a newly sober member named Larry J. [far left]. These articles [near left: on display] served as the foundation for A.A.’s first pamphlet, titled simply  “AA” [right].

1942: The Columbus (Ohio) Group of A.A., established just three months earlier, split into two factions. Fourteen members formed a new group called the Central Group, which began meeting at the Odd Fellows Hall located at 24 W. Goodale St. The Central Group continued to hold meetings there until at least 1999.