First Geneva Convention signed, 22 August 1864

Background. The First Geneva Convention was the first iteration of a series of treaties seeking to implement binding international arrangements for the protection of wounded armies. It was inextricably linked to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which acted as the instigator for its inception. The convention's original ten articles addressed ambiguities in terms and concepts, necessitating later revisions to accommodate the rapidly developing nature of war and military technology.

Adoption. On 22 August 1864, the conference adopted the First Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field. This adoption followed proposals written in the final resolutions of an international conference organized in Geneva in October 1863. These resolutions included the introduction of a common distinctive protection symbol for medical personnel, honoring Swiss neutrality.

Legacy. The 1864 treaty was significantly revised and replaced in 1906, 1929, and finally 1949. The original ten articles were expanded to the current 64 articles, reflecting the need to address ambiguities and the evolving nature of warfare. Today, 196 countries are party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which include this first treaty.