The American Historical Association is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1884 and incorporated by Congress in 1889 for the promotion of historical studies. The AHA provides leadership for the discipline, protects academic freedom, develops professional standards, aids in the pursuit and publication of scholarship, generates innovative teaching, and supplies various services to sustain and enhance the work of its members. As the largest organization of professional historians in the world, the AHA represents more than 12,000 members and serves historians representing every historical period and geographical area, as well as a wide variety of professions.

The AHA is a trusted voice for history education, the professional work of historians, and the critical role of historical thinking in public life. Learn more about our work on behalf of the entire discipline and connect with the staff that is dedicated to advancing history and historical thinking for the benefit of all.

Leadership

Major initiatives and grant-funded projects promoting new approaches to history education and scholarship

• Expanding the career horizons of history graduate students through Career Diversity for Historians  
• Advancing the professional evaluation of digital scholarship in history
• Defining the disciplinary core of historical study through the Tuning project
• Promoting a global perspective in US history at two-year institutions through the Bridging Cultures program
• Issuing AHA Statements and Standards of the Profession
• Publishing analysis on the latest quantitative data on historians' education and careers

Advocacy

A vocal public presence articulating the value of history and historical thinking

Promoting the Value of History Education

• Read Jim Grossman's Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times on the critical perspectives taught to history majors
• Keep up with our continuing blog series on the rewarding careers of former history majors
• Different historians have offered their perspective on why students should study history
  • Peter Stearns (1998)
  • William H. McNeill (1985)

Historical Perspectives on Contemporary Issues

• Follow our blog, AHA Today, for historical context on today’s news
• Attend a live event on the role of history and historical knowledge in public decision-making and civic life from the National History Center

Find the latest Statements of Support and Protest

Community

Bringing together historians from all specializations and professions to discuss, disagree, and learn

Contact AHA Staff

To interview a member of the AHA staff on issues related to our initiatives or advocacy, contact Dana Schaffer. 

Connect with Historians

AHA membership provides exclusive access to the online community of historians, where you can post questions and receive feedback.

Attend the Annual Meeting

Advance your research, teaching, career, and more at the largest gathering of historians, held yearly in January.

Everything Has a History: A Conversation between Jim Grossman and Tyler Stovall