Organizations

al-Qaeda: origins, structure, ideology, and major attacks al-Qaeda al‑Qaeda is a transnational Islamist militant network founded in the late 1980s. This article outlines its origins, organization, ideology, notable attacks, aims, and distinguishin…

Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb AQIM is a Salafi‑jihadist militant group that emerged from Algeria's GSPC and expanded across the Maghreb and Sahel; known for insurgency, criminal financing, kidnappings and ties…

Al-Shabaab (Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen) — Somalia-based militant group al-Shabaab (militant group) Al-Shabaab is an Islamist militant organization formed in Somalia in the mid‑2000s. It has fought to impose a strict Salafi‑jihadist order in parts of the Horn of Africa and has ca…

Al-Shabaab (Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin) Al-Shabab Al-Shabaab is a Salafi‑jihadist militant group that emerged in Somalia, known for insurgency, attacks in the Horn of Africa, and affiliation with al‑Qaeda; it has influenced region…

Albion Rovers F.C.: Coatbridge football club with a long Scottish history Albion Rovers F.C. Albion Rovers F.C. is a Scottish association football club based in Coatbridge, known for its long history, local rivalries and home at Cliftonhill in the Scottish football league…

Alcor Life Extension Foundation (cryonics organization) Alcor Alcor is a U.S.-based cryonics organization that preserves human and animal remains at very low temperatures in the hope that future medicine may restore life and health.

Alianza Lima (Peruvian football club) Alianza Lima Alianza Lima is a major Peruvian football club from Lima, known for blue-and-white colors, a long history since 1901, home at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, and a historic rivalry w…

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK is a regional Dravidian political party influential in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, known for populist welfare programs, charismatic leadership and alternating rule with the D…

All Japan Pro Wrestling All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) is a long-running Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded by Shohei Baba in 1972, known for its physical 'King's Road' style, major tournam…

All Nippon Airways (ANA) All Nippon Airways Major Japanese airline founded in 1952. ANA operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services, is a Star Alliance member, and competes closely with Japan Airlines.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference: Kashmir's Umbrella Coalition for Self-Determination All Parties Hurriyat Conference Overview of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the 1993 umbrella coalition of Kashmiri political, religious and social groups advocating self-determination and coordinated politi…

All Saints (English–Canadian pop group) All Saints (group) All Saints are an English–Canadian pop group formed in 1993. Known for tight harmonies and 1990s hits including the international single "Never Ever", the quartet blended pop and R…

All Souls College, Oxford A college of the University of Oxford, founded in 1438; notable for having no undergraduate body, a distinctive system of fellowships and prize examinations, and extensive endowmen…

All-India Muslim League Political party founded in 1906 in Dacca to represent Muslim interests in British India; central to the Lahore Resolution and the creation of Pakistan, later fragmenting into separ…

All‑Russian Society of Philatelists All-Russian Society of Philatelists A national philatelic society founded in Soviet Russia in 1923 that promoted stamp collecting, study of postal history, exhibitions and later reorganized into broader All‑Union col…

Allies — Definition, History, Roles, and Cultural Uses Allies Allies are individuals, groups, or states that cooperate to pursue shared goals. Coverage includes military coalitions, modern social allyship, and cultural references in music, fi…

ALPHA Collaboration An international physics collaboration that creates and confines antihydrogen to study fundamental symmetries and the properties of neutral antimatter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha: First African-American Sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) is the first Greek‑letter sorority founded by African‑American women at Howard University in 1908. It is known for public service, scholarship programs, and…

Alpha Phi Alpha — First Intercollegiate Black Greek‑Letter Fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Phi Alpha, founded at Cornell University in 1906, is the first intercollegiate Black Greek‑letter fraternity in the United States, known for leadership, scholarship, public s…

Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Amateur Athletic Union A U.S. nonprofit organization founded in 1888 that organizes amateur and youth sports, runs national competitions and the Junior Olympic Games, and historically shaped amateur athl…

American Academy of Arts and Letters A private honor society honoring excellence in American literature, music, and visual arts; maintains galleries, prizes, and a noted Audubon Terrace venue in Manhattan.

American Association (19th-century baseball league) American Association (19th century) The American Association was a professional major baseball league in the United States from 1882 to 1891, noted for Sunday games, beer sales, affordable admission and rivalry with…

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO is a U.S. nonprofit association of state transportation agencies that develops standards, technical guidance, and research partnerships for highways, bridges, and broader tr…

American Athletic Conference (AAC) American Athletic Conference The American Athletic Conference is a U.S. collegiate athletic league that competes in NCAA Division I, fields FBS football programs, and emerged from the split of the original Big…

American Ballet Theatre Major American classical ballet company based in New York City, known for its Metropolitan Opera House seasons, international tours, repertory range, and its affiliated school and…

American Bar Association (ABA) American Bar Association The American Bar Association is a voluntary national association of lawyers and law students in the United States, noted for law school accreditation, model ethics rules, continuin…

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): history, purpose, and activities American Civil Liberties Union Overview of the ACLU: origins, mission to defend civil liberties, main issue areas, methods such as litigation and advocacy, organization structure, and common criticisms.

American Conservative Union: history, purpose, and role in U.S. conservatism American Conservative Union The American Conservative Union (ACU) is a long-established U.S. conservative advocacy organization known for policy ratings, lobbying, and organizing the annual Conservative Polit…

American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) American Contract Bridge League The American Contract Bridge League is the largest contract-bridge organization in North America, promoting play, education, and competition across the United States, Canada, Mexic…

American Enterprise Institute (AEI): Overview, History, and Role in U.S. Policy American Enterprise Institute AEI is a Washington, D.C.-based public policy think tank founded in 1938. It conducts research on government, economics, and social policy; is officially nonpartisan; and is widely…

American Family Association: overview, history, positions, and influence American Family Association American Family Association (AFA) is a conservative Christian nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1977 in Tupelo, Mississippi, known for media outreach and activism on socia…

American Film Institute Independent nonprofit preserving and celebrating American film and moving-image arts through education, preservation, awards, exhibitions and public programming.

American Go Association National organization promoting the board game Go in the United States: organizes events, maintains ratings and rules, supports education and professional certification, and repres…

American Hockey Association (1926–1942) A regional professional ice hockey league that operated in the United States from 1926 to 1942, helping establish minor‑pro hockey across the American Midwest and Plains and develo…

American Institute of Architects (AIA) American Institute of Architects Major professional association for U.S. architects supporting practice, education, advocacy, standards and public outreach. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it promotes design ex…

American Kennel Club: U.S. Registry and Organization for Purebred Dogs American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a major U.S. registry for purebred dogs that maintains breed standards, organizes events, and works with affiliated clubs. It plays a central role…

American Lacrosse Conference (ALC): NCAA Division I women's lacrosse, 2002–2014 American Lacrosse Conference Defunct Division I women’s lacrosse-only conference that operated in the eastern United States from 2002 to 2014; champions earned NCAA tournament berths and members returned to mu…

American League (Major League Baseball) American League One of Major League Baseball's two leagues, founded as a major league in 1901. The American League comprises 15 teams in three divisions and its champion competes with the National…

American Library Association (ALA) American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest professional organization for libraries and librarians, founded in 1876 to support library services, education, adv…

American Mafia (Cosa Nostra): organization, activities, and history American Mafia An overview of the Italian‑American criminal organization known as the American Mafia or Cosa Nostra: its structure, common activities, geographic strongholds, history, law‑enforce…

American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) American Ornithologists' Union Professional ornithological society founded in 1883. Publisher of The Auk and standard checklists; organizer of taxonomic committees including the SACC. In 2016 it merged into the…

American Physical Society Major U.S.-based professional organization of physicists that publishes leading journals, organizes scientific meetings, and promotes research, education, and policy in physics.

American Psychiatric Association Largest U.S. professional organization of psychiatrists; publisher of the DSM and a source of clinical guidance, education, research, and public policy on mental health.

American Red Cross The American Red Cross is the United States national humanitarian society providing disaster relief, blood services, training, and support to military families, and is part of the…

American Society of Civil Engineers Professional organization founded in 1852 that represents civil engineers, publishes standards and research, advocates for infrastructure, and supports education and professional d…

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ASCAP is a U.S. not-for-profit performance rights organization that licenses public performances of music, collects fees, and distributes royalties to songwriters, composers and pu…

American Stock Exchange (AMEX) American Stock Exchange A historic U.S. securities exchange founded as a curb market on Broad Street; known for trading small-cap stocks, options and exchange-traded products and now operating within the…

Amnesty International: overview, history, focus areas and methods Amnesty International Independent global movement defending human rights, founded in London in 1961. Works on prisoners of conscience, torture, refugee and minority rights, abolition of the death penalt…