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In England, 1908, Lord Robert Baden-Powell started the Boy Scouts. Based on the program he started fro the boys, his sister Agnes Baden-Powell organized the Girl Guides in 1910. Juliette Gordon Low also knew the Baden-Powells and was helpful in starting Girl Guide troops in Scotland and in London, England. Two years later, in 1912, Lord Baden-Powell married Olave Baden-Powell, who helped Agnes with the Girl Guides.
It was at this time, in 1912, that Juliette Gordon Low returned to the United States and started the Girl Scouts in the United States.
The concept of these two Scout organizations became very popular throughout the world. In 1920, an international meeting was held and 19 countries were represented. The idea of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides spread to many countries and by 1928, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) was formed by 26 countries.
They decided to honor Lord and Lady Baden-Powell by making their birthday, both on February 22nd, a special day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. On this day every year, all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world have a special meeting to think about the world-wide community of Scouting and what it means.
They also decided to honor Juliette Gordon Low by starting the JGL World Friendship Fund. This is a memorial fund to help make friendships among girls of all the countries easier. One way this is done is by having exchange visits between Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
Another fund was started, called the Thinking Day Fund. The money from this fund is used to help start Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. The Girl Scouts of the USA contribute to this fund through the Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Fund.
WAGGGS has four special meeting places that all Girl Scouts may visit. The first one is in Switzerland and is called "Our Chalet". The second one is in Mexico and is called "Our Cabaņa". The third one is in London, England and is called "Olave House" or "Pax Lodge". The last one is in India and is called "Sangam", which is an Indian word meaning "a place of coming together". If you ever visit these centers, you can get a special pin to wear.
As of 1999, there are 136 countries that belong to WAGGGS. In all these countries, the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides have many things in common. We have the same Promise and Law, with only slight wording variations. We have the same Scouting program and symbols of the trefoil, salute, WAGGGS pin and motto. We all share Thinking Day and the four World Centers.
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