Organizations

Multinational: meaning, types, characteristics and distinctions Multinational An overview of the term 'multinational', its common applications (business, military, polity), defining features, historical development, uses and how it differs from related terms…

Multinational corporation An overview of multinational corporations: definition, structure, history, economic role, regulatory issues and notable distinctions in global business.

Murderdolls (American horror punk band) Murderdolls Murderdolls are an American horror punk/metal band formed in Hollywood in 2002 by Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison, noted for theatrical horror imagery, two studio albums and a devot…

Museum: purpose, collections, history, and public role Museum An overview of museums: institutions that collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects for public education and enjoyment, including types, history, and functions.

Museum of London: two sites celebrating the city’s past Museum of London A civic museum complex that preserves and interprets London’s history, with a central site near the Barbican and a maritime-focused Docklands branch.

Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) A major science museum in Chicago's Hyde Park, founded in 1933. Noted for large interactive exhibits including a coal mine, the U-505 submarine, Pioneer Zephyr and Apollo 8.

Muslim Brotherhood (Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun) Muslim Brotherhood A transnational Sunni Islamist movement founded in Egypt in 1928, known for religiously informed social services, political activism, internal networks and a contested role in mode…

Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam Reported Islamist insurgent group in Assam, India, said to have been formed around 1996 to press for Muslim political representation; linked by some sources to armed activity and c…

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal A coalition of religious political parties in Pakistan formed to contest elections and advance conservative Islamist policies, notable for 2000s electoral success and opposition to…

Naga National Council The Naga National Council (NNC) was a mid‑20th century political organization representing the Naga people that sought a sovereign Naga homeland and led early Naga political resist…

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Museum and hall of fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, honoring individuals and contributors to basketball, preserving artifacts, hosting inductions, exhibits, research and public…

Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (Nabunken) Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Japanese research institute in Nara dedicated to study, conservation and documentation of cultural properties, supporting preservation, training, scientific analysis and public acc…

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) NASA The United States civilian agency for spaceflight, aeronautics research, and Earth/space science, established in 1958; known for Apollo, Space Shuttle, ISS, Mars robotic exploratio…

NASCAR — National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing NASCAR American sanctioning body for stock car racing that organizes national series, regional and grassroots events, founded by Bill France Sr., with a major role in motorsport culture a…

Nasjonal Samling — Norwegian fascist party led by Vidkun Quisling Nasjonal Samling Nasjonal Samling was a Norwegian fascist party (1933–1945) founded by Vidkun Quisling. It collaborated with Nazi Germany during the occupation and is remembered for its authoritari…

National Academy of Sciences A private, congressionally chartered U.S. society of leading scientists that advises government and the public, elects members for original research, and publishes reports and the…

National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian museum on the National Mall with the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft, plus research, restoration, and educational programs.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: U.S. nonprofit for education, advocacy, and support National Alliance on Mental Illness National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a U.S. nonprofit that provides education, peer-led support, and advocacy through local affiliates to help people with serious mental h…

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Founded in 1909, the NAACP is a long-standing U.S. civil rights organization that uses legal action, advocacy, education, and grassroots organizing to advance racial equality and p…

National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) National Association of Evangelicals U.S. fellowship of evangelical denominations, churches and organizations that coordinates relief, chaplaincy endorsement, church partnerships and public-policy engagement; affiliat…

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) National Astronomical Observatory of Japan NAOJ is Japan's national center for astronomical research, operating ground and space projects, major telescopes (including Subaru on Mauna Kea), radio facilities, and internationa…

National Book Foundation Nonprofit organization established to elevate American literature by presenting the National Book Awards and supporting reading, writers, and literary events nationwide.

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI is a U.S. government bioinformatics center that curates molecular and literature databases, provides search and analysis tools, and supports research, training, and scientific…

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) National Climatic Data Center Overview of the United States National Climatic Data Center: its role, collections, history, users, and relation to other climate data services.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Collegiate Athletic Association The NCAA is the primary U.S. organization that governs intercollegiate athletics, organizes championships across divisions, and establishes eligibility and competition rules since…

National Democratic Front of Bodoland An insurgent organization originating in Assam that advocates for a separate Bodoland for the Bodo people; known for armed struggle, internal splits, and intermittent peace talks.

National Diet Library (Japan) National Diet Library Japan's national library, founded in 1948, supports the Diet and the public with legal-deposit collections, reference services, digital archives, and main facilities in Tokyo and K…

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia National Film and Sound Archive Australia’s central repository for film, television, radio, music and oral history recordings: collection, preservation, restoration and public access based in Canberra.

National Film Development Corporation of India Government agency established to support Indian cinema through financing, production, distribution and promotion of quality films, with a focus on independent, regional and art-hou…

National Football League (NFL): Overview, Structure, History, and Impact National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is the highest professional level of American football, with 32 teams, a regular season and playoffs culminating in the Super Bowl, and major cul…

National Geographic Society Independent nonprofit founded in 1888 to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge; funds research, produces media, and runs education and conservation programs worldwide.

National Governors Association: U.S. Governors' Policy Forum and Intergovernmental Liaison National Governors Association The National Governors Association (NGA) is a nonpartisan organization of U.S. state and territorial governors that develops policy, fosters collaboration, and represents governors…

National Hispanic Institute (NHI) National Hispanic Institute A nonprofit leadership and youth development organization founded in 1979 to prepare Hispanic/Latino students for civic, academic, and professional leadership through programs, ins…

National Hockey Association (NHA) National Hockey Association Early 20th-century Canadian professional ice hockey league (1909–1917) that helped professionalize the sport and whose owners formed the National Hockey League.

National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) National Hockey League Players' Association The NHLPA is the collective bargaining and representative organization for NHL players, handling labor negotiations, licensing, benefits, and player advocacy in professional ice ho…

National Honor Society: Purpose, Criteria, and History National Honor Society Overview of the National Honor Society (NHS), its selection standards of scholarship, leadership, service and character, history, chapter structure, activities, and common distinct…

National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) National Hot Rod Association The NHRA is the largest drag racing sanctioning body, organizing professional and grassroots events across the United States and Canada, setting safety and technical rules, licensi…

National Informatics Centre (NIC) — India’s government IT agency National Informatics Centre National Informatics Centre provides IT infrastructure, software and e‑governance support to the Government of India. Established in 1976, it is overseen by the Ministry of Electro…

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST is a U.S. Department of Commerce laboratory that advances measurement science, standards, and technology to support innovation, industry competitiveness, and public well‑being…

National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica (INEC) National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica Costa Rica's official statistics agency responsible for planning and conducting censuses, national surveys, statistical production and dissemination to support policy, research and…

National Liberation Front A generic name for insurgent or political movements that seek national independence, anti-colonial change, or revolutionary transformation; used by groups across the 20th century.

National library: purpose, functions, history and distinctions National library An overview of national libraries: their role in preserving a nation's published heritage, key functions such as legal deposit and bibliographic control, history, services, and how…

National Library of Australia Australia's principal reference library, based in Canberra. It collects, preserves and provides access to printed, manuscript, pictorial and digital material documenting Australia…

National Library of Greece The National Library of Greece, founded in 1832 and based in Athens, preserves Greece's documentary heritage, operating historic and modern premises and extensive print, manuscript…

National Library of Israel The National Library of Israel (NLI) is Israel's principal repository for Jewish, Israeli and related cultural heritage, located on the Hebrew University campus in Givat Ram, Jerus…

National Library of Spain (Biblioteca Nacional de España) National Library of Spain Spain's central national library in Madrid, founded in 1712. It preserves published and manuscript heritage, serves as the legal deposit library, offers research services, exhibiti…

National Museum of Korea — overview, collections, history and significance National Museum of Korea Overview of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, its collections and galleries, origins at Changgyeong Palace (1909), 2005 relocation to Yongsan, and its roles in research, educa…

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA is a U.S. scientific agency responsible for weather forecasts, ocean and coastal stewardship, charts and observations, environmental research, and a small uniformed service.