Lions Clubs International History Timeline

1917: Association founded in Chicago, Illinois, USA on June 7 by businessman Melvin Jones.

1920: Association became international with the formation of the first club in Canada.

1925: Helen Keller challenges the Lions to become her "knights of the blind in the crusade against blindness."

1931: First club in Latin America chartered.

1945: Association helps form the Non-Governmental Organizations section of the United Nations.

1947: First club in Australia chartered.

1948: First club in Europe chartered.

1953: First club in Asia chartered. First club in Africa chartered.

1987: Lions Clubs International becomes the first service club to admit women as members.

1990: SightFirst, a major blindness prevention initiative, is launched.