JCI History

JCI's history spans nearly 100 years 

1918
The organisation went on to dedicate itself to bringing about civic improvements and giving young people a constructive approach to civic problems. The local Chamber of Commerce in St Louis was so impressed that it asked these young men to adopt the name of ‘Junior Chamber of Commerce’.

In August, the organisation's name was changed to Junior Citizens, and it was at this time that the initials JC were first used.

1920s
Over the following years, especially during the 1920s, Henry Giessenbier spread the message about Junior Chamber mainly in America. The Young Men’s Section of the Winnipeg Board of Trade, founded in 1923 in Canada, was the first Junior Chamber type organisation outside the United States although not formed as part of the Junior Chamber movement.

1944
In a meeting in Mexico, JCI was formally founded by eight different national organisations.

1946
The first World Congress of JCI took place in Panama City.

1952
The JCI Senate was formed through the efforts of Phil Pugsley, the 1951 JCI President, at the 7th JCI World Congress in Melbourne, Australia. (The granting of a Senatorship is the highest honour within JCI and awards life-long membership to an individual member).  

1953
The first permanent World Headquarters was established at the United States Jaycees War Memorial Headquarters Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Philip Van Slyck was hired as JCI's first full-time Secretary General. 
Also in 1953 the first JCI European Conference was held in Paris.

1955
The rapidly growing World Headquarters moved to its own building in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. 

1958
The first crayfish-party in Halmstad, Sweden. This is the oldest ongoing JCI event apart from the World Congress.  

1963
Incorporation of JCI Luxembourg

1969
The World Headquarters was built in Coral Gables, Florida, USA to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Junior Chamber International.

1972
At the 38th JCI World Congress in Taipei, the organisation's name was changed from Junior Chamber International to Jaycees International. 

1988
At the 39th JCI World Congress in Sydney, Australia, the organisation's name was again changed from Jaycees International to Junior Chamber International (JCI).

1989
1989 was an historic year for JCI as membership was extended to the Eastern Block countries of Estonia (USSR), Poland and Hungary. 

1996
First European Academy for incoming Local Presidents took place in Gothenburg, Sweden. 

2001
JCI Luxembourg hosted the "Francoformation", an ‘unofficial’ JCI training meeting of Junior Chambers based in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Tunisia and Switzerland.

2002
JCI Head Quarters was relocated to St. Louis, Missouri.

2003
JCI rebranded so that world-wide, all National organisations began with Junior Chamber International, followed by its geographical area.

2007
JCI Luxembourg hosted the "Francoformation", an ‘unofficial’ JCI training meeting of Junior Chambers based in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Tunisia and Switzerland.

2009
JCI Luxembourg hosted the European Capital Meeting, an ‘unofficial’ JCI conference of Junior Chambers based in capital cities in Europe.

2010
JCI Luxembourg hosted the Public Speaking and dDbating Academy, a European training event.

For more details about JCI’s history, visit jci international website