American Historical Association

American Historical Association
American Historical Association · Public domain · source
Name	American Historical Association
Formation	1884
Location	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Leader title	President

American Historical Association. The American Historical Association (AHA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1884 by Andrew Dickson White, Herbert Baxter Adams, and George Bancroft, with the goal of promoting historical research and historical preservation in the United States. The AHA is one of the oldest and largest professional organizations for historians in the United States, with members including Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Eric Foner. The organization has been led by notable presidents, including Nell Irvin Painter, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, and William Cronon.

● History

The American Historical Association was established in 1884, with its first meeting held at Saratoga Springs, New York, and was initially affiliated with the American Social Science Association. The AHA's early years were marked by the leadership of Herbert Baxter Adams, who played a key role in shaping the organization's mission and goals, and was influenced by the work of Leopold von Ranke and the German Historical School. The AHA has also been influenced by the work of other notable historians, including Charles Beard, Mary Ritter Beard, and W.E.B. Du Bois. During World War I, the AHA supported the National Board for Historical Service, which was established to promote patriotism and nationalism through historical education. The AHA has also been involved in various historical preservation efforts, including the establishment of the National Archives and Records Administration and the National Park Service.

● Organization

The American Historical Association is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a membership of over 12,000 historians, including academic historians, public historians, and independent historians. The organization is governed by a council, which includes representatives from various historical fields, such as American history, European history, and Asian history. The AHA also has a number of committees, including the Committee on Women Historians, the Committee on Minority Historians, and the Committee on LGBT Historians. The organization has also established partnerships with other historical organizations, including the Organization of American Historians, the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, and the American Studies Association.

● Publications

The American Historical Association publishes several academic journals, including the American Historical Review, which is one of the most prestigious historical journals in the United States. The AHA also publishes the Perspectives on History, which is a newsletter that provides updates on the organization's activities and news from the historical community. The organization has also published several books and pamphlets on various historical topics, including The Study of History and The Historian's Handbook. The AHA has also established partnerships with other publishers, including the University of California Press, the Harvard University Press, and the Oxford University Press.

● Awards_and_Prizes

The American Historical Association presents several awards and prizes to recognize outstanding historical research and historical writing. The organization's most prestigious award is the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize, which is awarded annually to the best book in European history. The AHA also presents the Albert J. Beveridge Award, which is awarded to the best book in American history before 1815, and the John H. Dunning Prize, which is awarded to the best book in American history after 1815. The organization has also established other awards, including the Wesley-Logan Prize in African Diaspora History and the John E. O'Connor Film Award.

● Annual_Meeting

The American Historical Association holds an annual meeting each year, which brings together historians from around the world to discuss the latest historical research and historical trends. The meeting features panels, workshops, and roundtable discussions on a wide range of historical topics, including American history, European history, and Asian history. The meeting also includes keynote addresses by prominent historians, such as David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Eric Foner. The AHA has also established partnerships with other historical organizations to co-host the annual meeting, including the Organization of American Historians and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations.

● Advocacy_and_Outreach

The American Historical Association is involved in various advocacy and outreach efforts to promote historical education and historical preservation. The organization has been a strong advocate for the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Archives and Records Administration, and has worked to promote historical literacy and civic engagement through history education. The AHA has also established partnerships with other organizations, including the National Council on Public History, the Society for History Education, and the Organization of History Teachers, to promote historical education and historical preservation. The organization has also been involved in various public history initiatives, including the National History Day and the History Relevance Campaign.