The American Orchid Society was organized on April 7, 1921 by a meeting of 36 orchid enthusiasts in Boston, Massachusetts electing Albert C. Burrage its first president. Even at that first meeting, recognizing flower quality was on the minds of the founders.The first national orchid show was held in 1924, at which gold and silver medals were awarded. Permanent, recorded awards that would follow an outstanding plant’s name were created in 1932, the AOS’s 11th year. The first judging Handbook was written in 1949 and today there are 27 centers, 35 sites and 588 judges operating a system that gives approximately 2,500 awards annually.Also dear to the founders was the concept of a society publication, out of which became the The Bulletin, first published in 1932 and now Orchids magazine — the world’s only remaining monthly orchid publication.This special Centennial issue celebrates the Society's heritage and it's future as we look forward to the next 100 years.