Knights of Columbus, History of the Order

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History of the Order

1874 | 1890 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000

1900: Patriotism is added as the fourth principle of the Order. The 1st Exemplification of the Fourth Degree took place on February 2nd at the Astor Hotel in New York, NY. 1,100 Third Degree members were exemplified. They had to have been members for 3 years. First swords have Flying Eagle on grip cap.; The formal wear of the time was the uniform. The first Baldrics of the Fourth Degree contained a pin emblem depicting the U.S. Constitution.; The 2nd Exemplification of the Fourth Degree took place on May 8th in Boston, Massachusetts. 750 Third Degree members were exemplified.; The first council in Florida is formed.; The first council in the Province of Ontario is formed -- January 2nd -- Ottawa Council #485; The first council in Tennessee is formed -- Nashville Council #547.; The first council in Wisconsin is formed -- June 25th -- Superior Council #499.; The first council in Kansas is formed -- September 9th -- Topeka Council #534.; The first council in Colorado is formed -- November 17th --Denver Council #539.
1901: Msgr. Patrick J. McGivney becomes the 5th Supreme Chaplain. He would serve in that capacity until 1928.; The first council in Utah is formed -- September 8th --Salt Lake Council #602.
1902: The first council in Alabama is formed -- January 12th -- Birmingham #635.; The first council in California is formed -- January 19th -- San Francisco Council #615.; The first council in New Mexico is formed -- February 2nd -- Albuquerque Council #641.; The first council in Nebraska is formed -- March 16 -- Omaha Council #652.; The first council in Georgia is formed -- March 23rd -- Savannah Council #631.; The first council in Texas is formed -- April 13th -- El Paso Council #638.; The first council in Oregon is formed -- June 15th -- Portland Council #679.; The first council in Washington is formed -- June 22nd -- Seattle Council #676.; The first council in Montana is formed -- July 9th -- Butte Council #668.; The first council in Louisiana is formed -- November 1st -- New Orleans #714.
1903: The Order raised $5,000 for a Kansas Flood Relief fund.; The first council in North Dakota is formed -- May 30th --Fargo Council #782.; The first council in Wyoming is formed -- July 12th -- Cheyenne Council #801.; The first council in South Dakota is formed -- October 20th -- Sioux Falls Council #815.; The first council in Oklahoma is formed -- November 22nd -- El Reno Council #767.
1904: The Knights of Columbus present a check to Catholic University of America for $55,633.79 for the K of C Chair of American History.; The first council in Arizona is formed -- March 27th -- Bisbee Council #864.; The first council in Idaho is formed -- May 15th -- Pocatello Council #892.; The first council in the Province of New Brunswick is formed -- November 4th -- St. John Council #937.
1905: The first council in Nevada is formed -- April 9th -- Reno Council #978.; The first council in the Philippines is formed - April 23rd -- Manila Council #1000.; The first council in Mexico is formed -- September -- Guadalupe Council #1050.; The first council in the Province of Nova Scotia is formed -- November 12th -- Sydney Council #1060.; The Knights of Columbus now has a Councils in every State of the Union, Mexico, Philippines, Newfoundland and 5 of 9 Canadian Provinces.
1906: The order raised over $100,000 for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake.; Supreme moves to their 4th Headquarters in the Lincoln building on Church St. in New Haven, Connecticut. Cost of the new building was $113,275.
1907: Archbishop Glennon asks the Knights of Columbus to create a $500,000 K of C Endowment for Catholic University of America.
1908: In October, Cedar Rapids Council #909, had Bishop James J. Keane lecture to overflowing audiences in a series of lectures explaining Catholicism to Non-Catholics. This was to dispel the lack of knowledge about the Catholic Faith.
1909: Rev. Garret J. Barry becomes the 4th Supreme Chaplain. He would serve in that capacity until 1901. He would be the last Priest who was not a Monsignor to serve in that position.; James A. Flaherty is elected the 6th Supreme Knight and would serve in that capacity until 1927.; The plan is implemented to raise the $500,000 for the Catholic University of America endowment. The order receives 1 perpetual scholarship for a full course of studies in pursuance of an M.A. or Ph.D. Knights and their families are given preference.