YMCA

Young Men's Christian Association \Young Men's Christian
Association\
   An organization for promoting the spiritual, intellectual,
   social, and physical welfare of young men, founded, June 6,
   1844, by George Williams (knighted therefor by Queen
   Victoria) in London. In 1851 it extended to the United States
   and Canada, and in 1855 representatives of similar
   organizations throughout Europe and America formed an
   international body. The movement has successfully expanded
   not only among young men in general, but also specifically
   among railroad men, in the army and navy, with provision for
   Indians and negroes, and a full duplication of all the
   various lines of oepration in the boys' departments. It
   currently (1998) maintains buildings which usually have both
   recreational facilities and dormitories for dwelling. It is
   usually called by its acronym {YMCA}. See also the similar
   organizations {Young Women's Christian Association} and
   {YMHA}.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]