1865
The Christian Mission founded after William Booth holds a series of evangelistic meetings in London’s East End
1868
1884
The East London Evangelist, which eventually becomes The Salvationist, is first published
Women’s social work inaugurated
1878
The name “Salvation Army” is introduced after a conversation among William Booth, George Scott Railton and Bramwell Booth; the first corps flag is presented and brass instruments first used during a service
1878
Lieutenant Eliza Shirley and her parents begin the Army’s work in Philadelphia
1861-1865 1865
First US transcontinental rail route completed
Slavery abolished in US; President Abraham Lincoln assassinated
William Booth makes first visit to US; speaks publicly in Jackson, MI
1880
George Scott Railton and the Seven Hallelujah Lassies arrive in the U.S.
1880
Salvation Army officially begins international work in India, Ireland, Australia and U.S.
1881
First American War Cry written and published in St. Louis
1881
Railton recalled to England
1884
Moore copyrights the crest (with crown) forcing Booth’s Army to use an eagle in the crest in the USA until 1976.
1885
Captain & Mrs. William Evans and Lieutenant Ed Gay open work of The Salvation Army in Chicago; first meeting conducted at Bush Temple (Chicago Ave. and Clark St.)
1877
Queen of England proclaimed the Empress of India
1885
Princess Rink Chicago #1 Corps opens
1886
First convert under George Scott Railton and the Hallelujah Lassies: James Kemp, better known as ‘Ash Barrel Jimmy’ a homeless, helpless drunk found by police in a barrel, his hair frozen to the bottom. He was dragged this way to the police court and the night was ‘gloriously saved’ at an Army meeting.
Ballington Booth leaves Army to form “Volunteers of America”
1888
1897
Salvage programs start in the Central Territory
1894-1895 Japan defeats China
1893
First Christmas relief program held at Princess Rink Chicago #1 Corps; over 5,000 people fed
Railton moves National Headquarters from Philadelphia to St. Louis
War between British and Boers (Dutch-speaking farmers) in South Africa
1896
President Grover Cleveland warmly receives a delegation of Army officers on the sixth anniversary of Railton’s landing
Bombing at Haymarket Square First Scandinavian corps in Chicago; seven policemen open in Minneapolis, killed, many others injured St. Paul and Chicago
1880
1880-1881
William Booth’s In Darkest England and The Way Out published
1886
1880
1869
American Civil War
1886
1884
Major Thomas Moore secedes and forms ‘The Salvation Army of America’; this results in similar splinter groups.
1890
1884
First commissioned band in US at Grand Rapids Citadel Corps. Case De Blond first convert in Grand Rapids, named Drum Major
1885
First corps building built in Maquokata, IA
1885
First meeting of Indian National Congress (created to form platform for civic and political dialogue of educated Indians with the British Raj
1898
Spanish-American War Starts