Our Mission
Leadership for the Discipline
The American Historical Association provides leadership for the discipline and promotes the critical role of historical thinking in public life. The Association defends academic freedom, develops professional standards, supports innovative scholarship and teaching, facilitates international collaboration, and helps to sustain and enhance the work of historians.
Who We Are
Serving the Community of Historians
The American Historical Association was founded in 1884 and incorporated by Congress in 1889. The AHA promotes historical work and the importance of historical thinking in public life. Its mission to enhance the work of historians also encompasses professional standards and ethics, innovative scholarship and teaching, academic freedom, and international collaboration. As the largest membership association of historians in the world (more than 10,000 members), the AHA serves historians in a wide variety of professions, and represents every historical era and geographical area.
Governance
Much of the work of the Association is done through its governing Council, divisions, and committees. The work of the Association is governed by the AHA Constitution (which lays out the basic structure for the organization) and Bylaws (which describe how the organization functions).
AHA Council
The primary governing body of the Association is the Council, whose members are elected annually by the AHA membership. The Council cares for the general interests of the Association by conducting business, setting policy, and overseeing the financial and legal matters of the organization.
AHA Divisions
The three divisions (Professional, Research, and Teaching) are designed to provide the Council with information, advice, and proposals in connection with subjects or areas of concern assigned to them by the Council.
AHA Committees
AHA Committees address administrative or policy concerns, investigate and advise the organization on recent issues in the discipline, identify and recognize the best of historical scholarship and work, and support initiatives that promote history and historical thinking.
AHA Staff
Our collaborative team of staff are dedicated to promoting history and the work of historians.
AHA History & Reports
Annual Reports
Each year the American Historical Association produces an annual report that includes reports from the editor of the American Historical Review, officers in the different divisions, and members of the different committees. Also included are the decisions of Council, minutes and resolutions from the business meeting, the Association’s financial report, and more.
Year In Review
The AHA Year in Review provides an overview of the AHA's activities over the course of the year, highlighting efforts in key areas of the AHA's mission, such as leadership, advocacy, and building community. The Year in Review summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the AHA's publications, annual meeting and other conferences, public outreach, and more.
Presidential Addresses
Since the Association was founded in 1884, the Association’s presidents have addressed the annual meeting on a topic of interest or concern to the profession.
History of the AHA
When the American Historical Association was founded in 1884, history had only recently emerged as a distinct academic discipline.
AHA Historical Collections
From annual reports going back to 1889 to committee reports to primary source collections, the AHA shares documents on the history of the discipline.
Support Our Work
AHA Merch
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Newsletters
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Contact Us
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Question?
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the AHA, membership, the annual meeting, awards and grants, publications, advertising, and professional issues.