June 6 in History
1844 – The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is founded in London
YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It was founded on this day in 1844 by Sir George Williams in London, originally as the Young Men’s Christian Association, with the aim of putting Christian principles into practice by developing a healthy “body, mind, and spirit”.
From its inception, it grew rapidly and ultimately became a worldwide movement founded on the principles of muscular Christianity. Local YMCAs deliver projects and services focused on youth development through a wide variety of youth activities, including providing athletic facilities, holding classes for a wide variety of skills, promoting Christianity, and humanitarian work.
YMCA is a non-governmental federation, with each independent local YMCA affiliated with its national organization, which in turn, is part of both an Area Alliance (Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada) and the World Alliance of YMCAs (World YMCA). Consequently, all YMCAs are unique, while following certain shared aims, such as the Paris Basis.
-Wikipedia
Photo Caption- Wood engraving of a gym scene at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) gymnasium, Longacre, London, opened by the Prince of Wales on June 16, 1888 – britannica.com