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.

January 10, 1992:          The first Lions Club LC Riga was chartered in Latvia.