Everything begins on February 23, 1905 in Chicago, from an idea of lawyer Paul Percy Harris: to bring together professionals from different fields, who normally wouldn't have the chance to meet, to build friendship and exchange ideas. He called three friends: Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele and Hiram Shorey, and from that meeting the first Rotary Club was born.
The idea spread quickly and within a few years Rotary crossed the borders of Chicago and the United States. In 1912 the first Rotary Club outside North America was founded, and since then the movement has continued to expand to become an international reality. Alongside fellowship, members developed a growing focus on concrete service to the community: as early as 1907, the Rotary Club of Chicago carried out its first service project: the construction of public toilets.
A key moment came in 1917, when President Arch C. Klumph proposed the creation of a fund to "do good in the world". This was the beginning of what would become the Rotary Foundation, today one of the main tools through which Rotary carries out its humanitarian commitment.
Rotary arrived in Italy on November 20, 1923, when the first Italian Rotary Club was inaugurated in Milan, in the Sala Manzoni of the Caffè Cova. In the territory of the current District 2050, the first Club to be founded was the Rotary Club Cremona, in 1926, today recognized as the oldest Club in the District.
Throughout the 20th century the movement continued to grow, tackling the great social and humanitarian challenges of its time. Today Rotary brings together over 1.2 million members in more than 46,000 Clubs across over 200 countries and geographical areas, united by the same idea: building connections, developing leadership and transforming friendship into concrete service.
In District 2050, which includes southern Lombardy and the province of Piacenza, the network today counts 85 Rotary Clubs and 3,379 members. A reality that continues to grow and renew itself, keeping the principle of "Service Above Self" at its core.
Key Milestones
- 1905: Paul P. Harris founds the first Rotary Club in Chicago
- 1907: The first service project is carried out
- 1917: Arch C. Klumph proposes the fund that will give birth to the Rotary Foundation
- 1923: The first Italian Rotary Club is born in Milan
- 1926: The Rotary Club Cremona is born, the oldest Club of the current District 2050
- Today: over 1.2 million members and more than 46,000 Clubs worldwide; in District 2050, 85 Clubs and 3,379 members.