A.A. History in April

April 1

1939 - "Alcoholics Anonymous", AA's Big Book was published.

1940 - Larry J. of Houston, wrote The Texas Preamble used to open AA meetings in Texas.

1966 - Sister Ignatia died at the age of 77. She worked with Dr. Bob in treating many early AA members at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron.

1984 - 12 Coconuts Group, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Hawaii, was founded.

April 3

1941 - First Florida AA meeting was held.

April 4

1960 - The Chicago Daily News reported that Fr. Ed D., a Jesuit priest who helped start the first AA group in St. Louis, had died at age 62.

April 7

1941 - Ruth Hock, Bill W.'s secretary, reported there were 1,500 letters asking for help, as a result of the Saturday Evening Post Article by Jack Alexander.

April 10

1939 - The first ten copies of the Big Book arrived at the office Bill shared with Hank P. in Newark, New Jersey.

April 11

1938 - Alcoholic Foundation held its first meeting.

1939 - Marty M. attended her first meeting at the home of Bill and Lois W. in Brooklyn.

1941 - Bill and Lois W. moved into their new home, Stepping Stones.

April 12

1942 - The Windsor Daily Star in Ontario, Canada, reported that over 400 AA's attended a testimonial dinner for Dr. Bob.

April 16

1940 - A sober Rollie H. caught the only opening day no-hitter in baseball history since 1909.

1973 - Dr. Jack Norris, non-alcoholic Chairman of the AA General Service Board, presented President Richard Nixon with the one-millionth copy of the Big Book at the White House.

April 17

1941 - 2nd group in Los Angeles, the "Hole in the Ground Group" was formed.

April 19

1940 - First AA group in Little Rock, Arkansas, was formed.

April 22

1940 Bill W. transferred his Works Publishing Stock to the Alcoholic Foundation. The date on which Hank P. transferred his stock is uncertain.

April 23

1940 - Dr. Bob wrote the Trustees to refuse Big Book royalties, but Bill W. insisted on them for Dr. Bob and Anne.

April 24

1989 - Dr. Leonard Strong died. He was Bill's brother-in-law and a non-alcoholic AA Trustee.

April 25

1951 - AA's first General Service Conference was held.

April 26

1939 - Bill & Lois W. moved in with Hank P. after the bank foreclosed on 182 Clinton St. This was the first of over 50 moves before they acquired Stepping Stones.

April 30

1989 - The film "My Name is Bill W.," a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, was broadcast at 9 p.m. on ABC TV.

Other April events for which we have no specific dates:

1940 - The "Texas Preamble" used to open meetings in Texas, was written by Larry J. of Houston.

1940 - The first AA pamphlet was published, entitled simply "AA."

1958 - The word "honest" was dropped from "an honest desire to top drinking," in the AA Preamble.

1960 - Bill W. refused to be on the cover of Time Magazine.

1988 - Cybil C., the first woman member in Los Angeles and archivist, died.

Thanks to Nancy O. of the group "AA History Buffs" for this list.