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

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

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

Having searched through my alky mind for a quick-witted response to our neighborhood troll Micky/David/Patrick/Whatever and his insanity/stupidity, coming up with nothing more than immaturity on my part, I began looking around some of my “favorite” places and found Barefoots’ Place once again.
Thought about referring to The Akron Manual which was reprinted at Barefoot’s to give us an idea how the oldtimers did it in the beginning but I decided on this – “The Insanity Of Alcohol.” Ya’ see Micky, you have some worth – you motivated my mind to what could kill me and I used the tools. Now …read more

As usual, always worthy of consideration, any day, any time, imho.
From Silkworth.net;
Tradition Eleven: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?
Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?
Am I careful about throwing AA names around – even within the Fellowship?
Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?
What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? …read more

Significant November Dates In A.A. History
from AA History Lovers at Yahoo! Groups;
Nov 1934 – Ebby T. carries message to Bill.
Nov 1936 – Fitz M leaves Towns Hospital to become ‘AA #3 in NY’ with Bill W and Hank P.
Nov 1937 – Bill and Dr. Bob compare notes in Akron. Count forty cases staying sober. Meeting of the Akron Group to consider Bill’s ideas for how to expand the movement … a book, AA hospitals, paid missionaries. Passed by a majority of 2.
Nov/Dec 1939 – Akron group withdrawals from association with Oxford Group. Meetings moved from T Henry & Clarence …read more

“We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness.”

We have a good friend who asks this question at meetings – “how do I know that AA is working?” The answer?
I’ve never had it so good!
There are times like right now that I must bring this to the forefront of my mind. I’m on the right track. God has me exactly where he wants me. How do I know? Because I’ve never had it so good!
I could spend hours …read more