Society of the Cincinnati

Society of the Cincinnati
Named afterLucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
EstablishedMay 13, 1783 (241 years ago) (1783-05-13)
FounderHenry Knox
Founded atFishkill, New York, US
TypeLineage society
HeadquartersAnderson House, Washington, D.C., US
Coordinates38°54′39″N 77°02′52″W / 38.9107011°N 77.0477045°W / 38.9107011; -77.0477045
Region served
United States and France
Official language
English
Frank Keech Turner Jr.
Joel Thomas Daves IV
Francis Ellerbe Grimball
William Postell Raiford, Ph.D.
Key people
Executive Director
F. Anderson Morse
Main organ
Triennial Meeting
WebsiteThe Society of the Cincinnati
The American Revolution Institute

The Society of the Cincinnati is a fraternal, hereditary society founded in 1783 to commemorate the American Revolutionary War that saw the creation of the United States. Membership is largely restricted to descendants of military officers who served in the Continental Army.

The Society has thirteen constituent societies in the United States and one in France. It was founded to perpetuate "the remembrance of this vast event" (the achievement of American Independence), "to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature," and "to render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the officers" of the Continental Army who served in the Revolutionary War.

Now in its third century, the Society promotes public interest in the Revolution through its library and museum collections, publications, and other activities. It is the oldest patriotic, hereditary society in America.