This year, the National Press Club celebrates 100 years as the professional and social heart of journalism in the United States and around the globe. It is my pleasure as NPC president to invite you to join us in remembering a century of achievements and in looking forward to 100 more years of advancement as the field of journalism continues to experience many important changes.

In 1908, the Club's founders wished to create a place "to promote social enjoyment among members, to cultivate literary taste, to encourage friendly intercourse among newspapermen and those with whom they were thrown in contact in the pursuit of their vocation, to aid members in distress and to foster the ethical standards of the profession."

The National Press Club has done those things and so much more.

Presidents of the United States, kings and queens, prime ministers, premiers, members of Congress, Cabinet officials, ambassadors, scholars, entertainers, business leaders and athletes have made news at our podium. The Club is a source of professional development for journalists, a vocal advocate of freedom of the press, and a supporter of aspiring journalists through our scholarship program.

In describing its importance within the community of journalists in Washington and beyond, legendary CBS commentator Eric Sevareid described the National Press Club as the "sanctum sanctorum of American journalists. It's the Westminster Hall, it's Delphi, it's Mecca, the Wailing Wall for everybody in this country having anything to do with the news business; the only hallowed place I know of that's absolutely bursting with irreverence."

Please browse the website to find more about the history and traditions of the National Press Club as we celebrate our centennial year.