Founding of the American Historical Association

The American Historical Association (AHA) was founded in 1884 to promote original research, scholarship, and teaching in history. It aimed to bring together professional historians to share ideas, set standards, and advance the study of history. By creating a national organization, the AHA helped establish history as an important academic discipline in the United States, supporting historians’ work and encouraging accurate, comprehensive historical research. Its founding reflected a broader effort to formalize, professionalize, and elevate the study of history across institutions and states.