April 1939 The Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, is published.
The following comes from the book Alcohilcs Anonymous page 153 (the basic text for our society)
"Our hope is that when this chip of a book is launched on the world tide of alcoholism, defeated drinkers will seize upon it, to follow it's suggestions. Many, we are sure, will rise to their feet and march on. They will approach still other sick ones and fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up in each city and hamlet, havens for those who must find a way out."
Reprinted with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc.

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April, 1951 The first A.A. General Service Conference.
The following comes from the book A.A. Comes of Age, pages 217-218
"When the first General Service Conference met in April, 1951, we found that about a third of it's delegates were real old-timers. The rest were active A.A.'s sober four to eight years. Best of all, the majority of them had been chosen by a two-thirds vote, only a few of the elections going to lot. It was tremendously encouraging."
"On thier first day, the delegates inspected our Headquarters, got a aquainted with the service staff and shook hands with the Trustees. In the evening their was a briefing session under the name of 'What's on your mind?' We answered questions of every description. The delegates began to feel at home. Seeing their quick understanding and confidence, our spirits rose. We all sensed that something momentous was happening; that this was a historic moment."
Reprinted with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc.