1 The Knights of Columbus is born on Feb. 6, 1882, when the first mebers choose Columbus as patron. 2 “Charity” and “Unity” are chosen as the Order's founding principles; “Fraternity” is added in 1885 and “Patriotism” in 1900. 3 Father Michael J. McGivney's name is listed first among the insured members of the Order in a record book dating back to the founding. 4 Immediately after the Order's March 29, 1882 incorporation, Father McGivney sends the first diocesan-wide appeal for new members to his fellow priests. 5 A celebratory parade and clambake held Aug.12, 1885 in New Haven, draws a reported 12,000 Knights and supporters. 6 During his four-year tenure as supreme knight from 1882-86, James Mullen presides personally at the institution of 22 of the first 38 councils. 7 The Order's first headquarters is one room located on the second floor of a three-story building next to New Haven's City Hall. 8 In 1889, the Order's Board of Government (Supreme Council) votes to pay $1,000 to Father McGivney “in gratitude” for his services in establishing and promoting the Knights. 9 John J. Phelan is elected supreme knight (1886-97) and is the first leader to sense the Order's destiny as a national society. 10 Father McGivney dies on Aug.14, 1890. His funeral Mass is celebrated in Thomaston, Conn., on Aug.18. 11 In 1892, the Order passes laws allowing noninsurance or associate members to join.. 12 In November 1893, The Columbiad, a forerunner to Columbia, begins publishing. Its editor, Thomas A. Cummings, is also the Order's first national director of ceremonials. 13 Ladies' auxiliaries begin to emerge in the late 1890s. 14 6,000 Knights march in an 1892 Columbus Day parade in New Haven; nearly 40,000 people attend 15 The Vatican's first acknowledgement of the Knights comes in 1895, when Archbishop Francesco Satolli, apostolic delegate to the United States writes a letter extolling the “merits of this splendid Catholic organization” and giving the Order his apostolic blessing. 16 James E. Hayes, the Order's third supreme knight (1897-98), joins the Knights in Massachusetts in 1892; during his tenure as a district deputy and state deputy, he presides over the institution of 75 councils. 17 John J. Cone succeeds Hayes and serves from 1898-99; he is a member for less than three years when he is elected supreme knight. 18 Under Cone's leadership, the Knights subscribe to war bonds to support the Spanish-American War; at his direction, soldiers and sailors are not disqualified from being insurance members. 19 On Nov.25, 1897, Canada's first council – Montreal Council 284 – is chartered. By 1905, the Order is established in every U.S. state, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, the Philippines and is soon to enter Puerto Rico and Cuba. 20 Writing in the The Columbiad in 1898, a year before he was elected supreme knight, Edward L. Hearn says a Knight should live according to the virtues of loyalty, charity, courtesy and modesty, “self- denial and a careful respect for the feelings of others.” 21 Hearn's administration modernizes the Order's insurance program, employing mortality tables and other tools of commercial insurers. 22 The first exemplification of the Fourth Degree takes place on Feb.22, 1900 in New York City; 1,100 Knights receive the degree. The following May, another 750 Knights take the degree in Boston. 23 On April 13, 1904, more than 10,000 Knights and their families attend ceremonies at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., in which a check for $55,633.79 is presented to the school for the establishment of a K of C chair of American history. From 1909 to 1913, Knights raise $500,000 to establish a permanent endowment for CUA.   24 A reported 5,000 Knights meet James A. Flaherty's train in Philadelphia in 1909, when he arrives at the annual convention where he is elected supreme knight. 25 In 1912, with support from the Knights, the Columbus Memorial Fontain is dedicated in Washington, D.C. Some 20,000 Knights attend the ceremonies.