Scouting has a long and exciting history, and there are many sites dedicated to telling the story. Here is a list of some of the more important dates in the history of Scouting. Some of the events are links to the Wikipedia and Scoutwiki websites.
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February 1857
Robert Stephenson Smyth Powell, later Baden-Powell, was born.
1899
B-P becomes a national hero during the Siege of Mafeking.
1900
Two boys write to tell B-P that thay have formed the 'Baden-Powell Scouting Society'.
August 1907
Experimental camp on Brownsea Island
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January 1908
Part One of Scouting for Boys published.
August 1908
First official Scout Camp run by Baden-Powell at Humshaugh.
May 1909
The 'British Boy Scouts' are formed.
August 1909
Camp on TS Mercury leads to the formation of Sea Scouts.
1910
'The Boy Scout Association' is formed.
January 1910
Girl Guides begin.
September 1910
First annual census - 100,298 Scouts and 7,688 Scouters.
May 1916
Scout Jack Cornwell posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, aged 16.
September 1916
Cornwell Medal instituted.
December 1916
Wolf Cub Section started.
August 1918
Senior Scouts renamed as Rover Scouts.
July 1920
First World Scout Jamboree held at Olympia, London.
July 1923
The woggle is introduced for holding the necker.
October 1932
First Gang Show is produced by Ralph Reader.
November 1935
A new design for the Thanks Badge is designed, replacing the swastika design.
February 1939
National Service Badge introduced.
September 1939
Germany invades Poland - start of WW2.
January 1941
Baden-Powell dies at Paxtu, Nyeri, Kenya.
January 1941
Air Scouts officially recognised.
May 1945
Germany surrenders.
August 1945
Japan surrenders - WW2 is over.
August 1946
An organisation for British Scouts in Germany is formed.
April 1949
First "Bob-a-job" week.
November 1950
Scouts forbidden to hitchhike unless in an emergency.
February 1959
The Boy Scout Association joins the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
November 1961
Long trousers are introduced as an option for Senior Scouts and Rovers.
September 1967
The "Advance Party Report" is published, changing the nature of Scouting in Britain.
July 1970
The Scout Action Group publish "The Black Report", asking for traditional Scouting to be allowed to continue.
September 1970
The Baden-Powell Scout's Association breaks from the Scout Association, with Lady Baden-Powell's support and her gifting the use of the Baden-
Powell name.
June 1977
Olave, Lady Baden-Powell dies, aged 88.
July 2007
B-PSA Centenary Camp held to mark the anniversary of the Brownsea Camp.
August 2008
Jamboree 2008 marks the centenary of the the first Scout Camp.
