Herzl had been surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response from publishing his book “Der Judenstaat” (“Jewish State”), and he began to meet with Zionist leaders throughout Europe. In January 1897 members of the German Kadima Society recommended Herzl call a meeting of Jews worldwide to work towards creating a Jewish State.

After receiving support for the idea, Herzl sent out invitations to a conference to be held in Munich, Germany, that August. The organized Jewish community in Germany objected to holding the conference. The Executive Committee of the Rabbis of Germany explained its objection stating that a Jewish state should only come into being after the arrival of the messiah. In addition, the German Rabbis claimed that to work to create a Jewish state conflicted with the loyalty to the Fatherland, i.e., Germany.

Herzl moved the meeting to Basel, Switzerland, attracting 204 representatives from 15 countries, including delegates from the United States. The delegates were requested to wear their finest attire. Additionally, journalists from across Europe attended the conference, thanks to Herzl's efforts.

Theodor Herzl was the opening speaker, and upon rising to speak, he was greeted with a prolonged ovation that lasted 15 minutes. When he eventually began his address, Herzl declared, “We are here to lay the foundation stone of the house that will shelter the Jewish people.”

Following Herzl's address, others, including Max Nordau, spoke and presented practical steps needed to move forward with the creation of a Jewish homeland. In the course of this congress, the World Zionist Organization was founded. A resolution, subsequently referred to as "The Basel Program," that delineated the aim of Zionism, was ratified. This aim was articulated as the creation of a "home for the Jewish people secured by law" in Palestine. Consequently, the aspiration of the World Zionist Organization was realized through the establishment of a Jewish homeland 50 years later, marking the birth of the modern state of Israel.