History
Take a walk through the decades to appreciate the rich history of Toastmasters.
1905
- Illinois YMCA Education Director Ralph C. Smedley sees public-speaking need
- Organizes Toastmasters Club, referencing role of “toastmaster” at banquets
- First unofficial Toastmasters meeting held on March 24
- Smedley and older men present short speeches; younger men join in evaluations
1922
- Smedley accepts job at YMCA in Santa Ana, California
- Organizes what becomes Club No. 1 of Toastmasters International
1924
- October 22: meeting of approximately two dozen men marks birth of today’s Toastmasters
- Article published in YMCA’s national publication, Association Men; word spreads
- Smedley is recognized for avoiding oratorical style of previous century; for keeping meetings simple
1926
- Second Toastmasters club chartered in Anaheim, California
- Smedley writes Manual of Instruction (known later as The Club Management Handbook)
- Smedley writes Ten Lessons in Public Speaking
1928
- “Toastmasters Club” trademarked
1932
- Toastmasters International incorporated
- First president: Advertising Salesman J. Clark Chamberlain
1933
- First Toastmaster magazine published in April
1935
- First club outside the United States chartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
1938
- Clubs reach 100-milestone
1940
- Smedley resigns from YMCA; becomes Toastmasters’ first professional employee
1942
- Smedley writes Basic Training, the “Bible” of Toastmasters
1946
- District 18 of Scotland is first organized outside of the United States
1949
- Clubs reach 700-milestone
1959
- The Story of Toastmasters (Reminiscences of the Founder) published
1962
- First World Headquarters building dedicated in October
1965
- Educational Advisory Committee established
- Smedley dies at age 87
1969
- New Communication and Leadership program introduced
1973
- Membership opened to women
1974
- Membership reaches more than 60,000 in 3,000 clubs in 41 countries
- Toastmasters International celebrates 50th anniversary
1982
- Membership reaches 100,000
1985
- Helen Blanchard first female president
1989
- Membership reaches 150,000
1991
- Toastmasters headquarters moves from Santa Ana to Rancho Santa Margarita, California
1993
- Clubs reach 8000-milestone
1995
- First website launched
2004
- Clubs reach 10,000-milestone
2008
- Daniel Rex becomes executive director
2009
- Organization's structure changed to 14 global regions
- Membership reaches 250,000 in 106 countries
2011
- Brand, website, logo and tagline are refreshed and updated
2017
- Pathways launched in various regions
2018
- Headquarters relocates to Englewood, Colorado
- Pathways fully implemented in May
