How old is honor society?

Honor societies have existed for several centuries, with some of the first societies emerging in Europe during the Middle Ages. One of the oldest known honor societies is the Order of the Garter, established in England in 1348 by King Edward III to recognize chivalry and loyalty among his supporters. In the United States, the tradition of honor societies gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the establishment of societies such as Phi Beta Kappa (founded in 1776), which recognizes exceptional academic achievement, and Tau Beta Pi (founded in 1885), which honors excellence in engineering.

Since then, there has been a proliferation of honor societies, with hundreds now existing across various fields and disciplines. Each society has its criteria and values, recognizing outstanding contributions within a specific domain. For example, there are honor societies devoted to academics, research, leadership, service, and professional advancement.