The first Ronald McDonald House opened in 1974 in Philadelphia, PA
-In 1984, Ronald McDonald House Charities is officially established in memory of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, a strong advocate for children.
-By 1985, the first RMH opened in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and there were Houses worldwide.
-In 1986, The Award of Excellence was created to honor child care advocates.
-In 1987, the Pop Tab Collection Recycling Program was established.
-By 1991, the 150th RMH opened in Paris, France.
-In 1992, the Ronald McDonald Family Room was established to served the families of critically ill children. It opened at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, KS.
-In 1994, RMHs opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in Auckland, New Zealand, bringing the total number of Houses to 164.
-In 1997, the Matching Grant Program was created for local U.S. chapters to respond to needs in their own communities.
-The first Ronald McDonald Care Mobile was launched in 2000 in Orchester. MA.
