The Founding of Lions International

The International Association of Lions Clubs as now constituted was conceived at a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on June 7, 1917. From that meeting came a call for the association's first annual convention, which was held October 8 -10, 1917, in Dallas, Texas, with 23 clubs participating. Lions International was organized with the idea of uniting, on a basis of unselfish community service, business men's clubs that had no other affiliations. This was a departure from the practice of forming business men's organizations primarily for business purposes.

By 1920, the association had more than doubled its membership and had expanded into Canada. By 1927, it had extended into Mexico and China, and in 1948 the first Lions Club in Europe was organized in Stockholm, Sweden. The expansion and growth of Lionism have continued steadily. Today there are over one million Lions serving in more than 30,000 Clubs located in 150 countries and geographical areas. The International Association of Lions Clubs for many years had been the largest, most active, and fastest-growing service club organization in the world. Lions International is truly international in every respect. wherever a Lion may travel, in his homeland or in a distant country, he will find fellow Lions extending a warm brotherly greeting and welcome. The Lions Clubs around the world constitute a tremendous non-political and non-sectarian force for goodwill, lasting peace and the promotion of human progress.