On August 29, 1897, the First Zionist Congress, called together by Theodor Herzl, was held in Basel, Switzerland.
The Zionist Organization (ZO – later renamed the World Zionist Organization) was thus formed. Theodor Herzl, the visionary behind modern Zionism, was elected the ZO’s first president and the Basel Program, a resolution stating the goals of Zionist movement, was approved.
Photo from the GPO National Photo Collection.
Source: Government Press Office