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Today in History: Monday, January 27

1888: National Geographic Society is officially founded

On Jan. 27, 1888, the National  Geographic Society was officially founded for “the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” The society was formed two weeks earlier on Jan. 13 by 33 men in Washington, D.C., who had diverse backgrounds but shared an interest in geography and sciences, but the group wasn’t incorporated until Jan. 27. The society published the first issue of National Geographic magazine just nine months after its launch. When editor Gilbert H. Grovesvenor began publishing striking photographs alongside general interest articles in 1899, and readership soared. The society used profits from the magazine to fund research projects and world expeditions, consequently becoming an instrumental force in some of the greatest achievements in exploration and science.Some major discoveries aided by the National Geographic Society include Jacques Cousteau’s oceanographic work, Jane Goodall’s observations of chimpanzees, Robert Peary’s journey to the North Pole and Richard Byrd’s flight over the South Pole.