The Founders
This New York stockbroker co-founded A.A.
Bill W.
Published in 1939, this book contained the A.A. program and personal stories of recovery, giving the fellowship its name.
Alcoholics Anonymous (or the Big Book)
This Tradition states that our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on A.A. unity.
Tradition 1
The first A.A. convention was held in this city in 1950, where the 12 Traditions were formally adopted.
Cleveland, Ohio
An Akron surgeon, he was the other co-founder of A.A. and is known as "the man on the bed" in some early stories
Dr. Bob Smith
A.A.'s first periodical, this magazine started in 1944 and is still in publication today.
The A.A. Grapevine
This is the name of the chapter in the Big Book that lays out the 12 Steps.
"How It Works"
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking, according to this Tradition.
Tradition 3
This is the location of the international headquarters of A.A., also known as the General Service Office (GSO).
New York City
This is the year Bill W. and Dr. Bob first met in Akron, Ohio, marking the official start of A.A.
1935
The first A.A. meeting outside of Akron and New York was held in this Midwestern city.
Cleveland
This is the chapter in the Big Book that gives a guide to employers on how to work with an alcoholic employee.
"To The Employers"
This Tradition declares that every A.A. group should be fully self-supporting through its own contributions.
Tradition 7
This physician, the first to successfully treat an alcoholic in a hospital using A.A.'s program, wrote the medical appendix for the Big Book.
Dr. William D. Silkworth
He was Bill W.'s close friend and sponsor, who, after a spiritual experience, introduced him to the Oxford Group.
Ebby Thacher
This Christian-based fellowship was a significant influence on A.A.'s early spiritual principles, especially the concept of one alcoholic helping another.
Oxford Group
This is the number of chapters in the main text of the Big Book.
11
According to this Tradition, A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution.
Tradition 10
Known as "Bill D.," he was the third member of A.A. and the first person to get sober in the fellowship after the founders.
Bill Dotson
The first A.A. members were featured in a 1939 Liberty Magazine article, helping to spread the word about the new fellowship and attracting new members. This article was titled "Alcoholics and ..."
"Alcoholics and God"
This is the total number of personal stories in the first edition of the Big Book.
29
This Tradition states that A.A.'s primary purpose is to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Tradition 5