After the civil war was over and done with, C. Barton petitioned for an American version of the International Red Cross. She also lobbied for the United States Congress to sign the Geneva Convention. She was highly successful. The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 and the United States Congress formally approved the Geneva Convention in 1882. Clara Barton then became president of the America Red Cross while leading the association for the next 23 years. On August 22 of 1881 the first local chapter was established in Danville, New York. Just days after the first local chapter was created, the American Red Cross leaped into their first call of duty. They reacted to a relief operation due to the forest fires in Michigan. Clara Barton sent supplies for the unfortunate people that were left homeless by the fires