On November 27, 1839, the American Statistical Association (ASA) was founded in Boston, Massachusetts. A small group of clergy, educators, and civic leaders created the organization to promote the collection and analysis of numerical data on social conditions. Early ASA members studied topics like public health, crime, and education in an effort to inform policy decisions. Over time, the association grew into a nationwide professional society for statisticians in government, academia, and industry. It sponsors journals, conferences, and guidelines that shape the practice of statistics. The founding of the ASA helped establish statistics as a recognized field in American science and public life.
