Significant March Dates in A.A. History
from AA History Lovers at Yahoo! Groups;
March 1936 – AA had 10 members staying sober. At end of 1936 A.A. had 15 members.
March-May 1938 – Bill begins writing the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Works Publishing Inc established to support writing and printing of the book.
March 1940 – Mort J. came to LA from Denver; started custom of reading Chapter 5 Big Book at Cecil group.
March 1941 – Second printing of Big Book.
March 1941 – 1st Prison AA Group formed at San Quentin.
March 1946 – The March of Time film is produced by NY AA office.
March 1949 …read more

Most of us don’t realize to what extent we are defiant.
I first published this two years ago and I’d like to refer to it again. It feels very appropriate considering some of the folks who’ve displayed their own recently…
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It surprised me when I discovered how defiant I had been toward God in my drinking days and for quite some time after He helped me sober up.
Small, simple things like, “no, I’ll do it my way, thank you.” Do you have any idea how often and to what degree we do this?
There’s an old “story” I wish I could relate about …read more

From Silkworth.net ;
Tradition Two: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving GOD as HE may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
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Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibility?
Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience …read more

Significant February Dates in A.A. History
from AA History Lovers at Yahoo! Groups;
FEB 1:
1918 – Original date set for Bill Wilson’s marriage to Lois Burnham. The date was moved up because of the war.
FEB. 2:
1942 – Bill Wilson paid tribute to Ruth Hock, AA’s first paid secretary, who resigned to get married. She had written approximately 15,000 letters to people asking for help
FEB. 5:
1941 – Pittsburgh Telegram ran a story on the first AA group’s Friday night meeting of a dozen “former hopeless drunks.”
FEB. 8:
1940 – Bill W., Dr. Bob, and six other A.A.s asked 60 rich friends of …read more

From the The Traditions Checklist ;
Traditions Checklist – Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
1. Am I in my group a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive? What about gossip and taking other members’ inventories?
2. Am I a peacemaker? Or do I, with pious preludes such as “just for the sake of discussion,” plunge into argument?
3. Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive?
4. Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one place with …read more

Thanks again to the folks at the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo!
There are far more than Twelve Promises written in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous.”
This is a listing of only those relating to the First Step (please, some may be a stretch – utilize, don’t analyze);
First Step Promises:
1. How many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. (Title page).
2. Who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. (foreword 1st edition xiii)
3. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. (foreword 1st edition xiii)
4. We are …read more

Which can result in the Big Lie…
From “The Language of the Heart,” page 263;
“There are, nevertheless, certain occasions where reckless truth-telling may create widespread havoc and permanent damage to others. Whenever this seems possible, we are likely to find ourselves in a bad jam indeed. We shall be torn between two temptations. When conscience agonizes us enough, we may well cast all prudence and love to the winds. We may try to buy our freedom by telling the brutal truth, no matter who gets hurt or how much. But this is not the usual temptation. It is far more probable …read more

Significant January Dates in A.A. History
from AA History Lovers at Yahoo! Groups;
Jan 1929 – Bill W. wrote third promise in Bible to quit drinking.
Jan 1940 – Akron group moves to new home at King School.
Jan 1944 – Dr. Harry Tiebout’s first paper on the subject of “Alcoholics Anonymous”.
Jan 1944 – Onset of Bill’s 11 years of depression.
Jan 1946 – Readers Digest does a story on AA.
Jan 1948 – 1st A.A. meeting in Japan
Jan 1951 – AA Grapevine publishes memorial issue for Dr Bob.
Jan 1958 – Bill writes article for Grapevine on “Emotional Sobriety”.
Jan 1, 1943 – Columbus Dispatch reports 1st …read more

Dr. Bob made many profound statements about recovery during a time when technology wasn’t really up to the task of recording him.
This is but one paragraph of his written words from the A.A. Grapevine printed in September, 1948 which clearly demonstrates his devotion and commitment to A.A.’s”original,” God-based “design for living.” [Back To Basics - The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners Meetings, pgs. 163-164]
“As finally expressed and offered, they [the Twelve Steps] are simple in language, plain in meaning. They are workable by any person having a sincere desire to obtain and keep sobriety. The results are the proof. Their simplicity and …read more

Significant December Dates in A.A. History
from AA History Lovers at Yahoo! Groups;
Dec 1934 – Bill & Lois start attending Oxford Group meetings.
Dec 1934 to May 1935 – Bill works with alcoholics, but fails to sober any of them. Lois reminds him HE is sober.
Dec 1938 – Twelve Steps written.
Nov/Dec 1939 – Akron group withdrawals from association with Oxford Group. Meetings moved from T Henry & Clarence Williams to Dr Bob and other members homes.
Dec 1939 – First AA group in mental institution, Rockland State Hospital, NY.
Dec 1939 – 1st home meeting in Los Angeles at Kaye M.’s house.
Dec 1939 – …read more