The First Zionist Congress was the inaugural congress of the Zionist Organization (ZO) held in the Stadtcasino Basel in the city of Basel on August 29–31, 1897. Two hundred and eight delegates and 26 press correspondents attended the event. It was convened and chaired by Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionism movement. The Congress formulated a Zionist platform, known as the Basel program, and founded the Zionist Organization. It also adopted the Hatikvah as its anthem.
The delegates at the First Zionist Congress, held in Basel, Switzerland (1897).
Mountain Jewish delegates with Herzl at the First Zionist Congress
Stadtcasino Basel where the Congress took place
First Zionist Congress delegates
World Zionist Organization
The World Zionist Organization, or WZO, is a non-governmental organization that promotes Zionism. It was founded as the Zionist Organization at the initiative of Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist Congress, which took place in August 1897 in Basel, Switzerland. The goals of the Zionist movement were set out in the Basel Program.
Offices of WZO in Tel Aviv
Member card of the (Polish) Zionist Organization, issued in 1929
Flag of World Zionist Movement, Maccabiah, 2013