August 22nd: Today in 1863 the first Geneva Convention, a document of common understanding of the rules of war, were signed by 16 European nations. Inspired by the work of Henry Dunant who was appalled by the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino and organized relief efforts to help the wounded the first convention established rules for the treatment of wounded soldiers, civillian bystanders and of civilians on the field providing aid. The conventions have been updated many times since then but remain the broadly accepted rules of war today.

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