History
The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith. From this one Company formed in Scotland the BB has grown in to a worldwide movement having worked with millions of children and young people for well over a century.
Origins of The Boys’ Brigade
The Boys’ Brigade was originated in Scotland of United Kingdom, which was the world’s first uniformed organization for youth. It has a history of 130 years. Sir William Alexander Smith, our Founder, who was a Sunday school teacher of a church. He felt that traditional Sunday school approach was hard to satisfy the curiosity and energetic disposition of youths. Thus, he made good use of his background as a Volunteer of Military Force, integrated the elements of team spirit as well as military discipline into the existing religious activities. On 4th October 1883, he gathered about 60 youths at the College Free Church in Glasgow and started the first parade. Nowadays, The Boys’ Brigade has already become an international mission movement, with Companies established in over 60 countries worldwide.
Among other organization formed based on the root idea of The Boys’ Brigade were:
Church Lads’ Brigade [1890]
Girls’ Brigade [1893]
Boys’ Life Brigade [1899]
The Jewish Lads’ Brigade [1900]
Catholic Boy’s Brigade [1900]
Girls’ Guildry [1900]
Girls’ Life Brigade [1902]
Boy Scouts [1908]
Girl Guides [1910]
The Boys’ Life Brigade became part of The Boys’ Brigade and was called `Life Boys’ in 1926. This resulted in the incorporation of the Red Cross from The Boys’ Life Brigade emblem into The Boys' Brigade Emblem. The Boys’ and Girls' Christian Brigade Canada (mixed group) was formed in 2015.