The 126th annual meeting of the Association was held January 5-8, 2012, in Chicago at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, the Sheraton Chicago, and the Westin Chicago River North. With 257 sessions, the program for this meeting was one of the largest ever assembled by the Program Committee. It was the AHA’s 19th annual meeting in Chicago, the first having been held in 1893. Many of the profession’s most distinguished members were present to deliver papers and more than 1,500 scholars participated. In addition, more than four dozen specialized affiliated societies met in conjunction with the AHA. Each society held its own sessions, luncheons, or meetings, as well as some joint sessions with the Association. Anthony Grafton, Princeton University, delivered the presidential address the evening of January 6, and the AHA awards and honors were announced.