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Washington, D.C.January 13, 2026
Featured photograph by Armando Vega for National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Mountain Expedition
As we celebrate the Society’s 138th anniversary with an eye toward the future, we reflect on the past and acknowledge the achievements of National Geographic Explorers who continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, uncover new insights about the natural and cultural worlds, and strengthen our connection to them and one another.
The first meeting of the National Geographic Society on January 13, 1888, as painted in 1962 by Stanley Meltzoff.
Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded inspiring and visionary leaders dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world. Our commitment to dauntless exploration dates back to our founding, when 33 prominent scholars and scientists established an organization dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Since then, our Base Camp Headquarters in Washington, D.C., has been a place for epic ideas to flourish as we’ve hosted lectures by state leaders in Hubbard Hall to such historic firsts as the first “picture phone” call from our 17th Street building. And that’s just the beginning of our unwavering support of bold and innovative ideas.
National Geographic members lined up outside Hubbard Hall on May 26, 1914, to get tickets for Theodore Roosevelt’s lecture.
Photo by John Oliver La Gorce.
From ocean to space to human histories and cultures, National Geographic Society-supported projects strive for transformative work. In 1912, the Society helped fund Hiram Bingham’s expedition to Peru. Bingham’s images and field notes of Machu Picchu captivated global audiences. Decades later, in 1961, the Society supported Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee studies, enabling her to observe the first confirmed use of tools by non-human species. From the underwater adventures of Jacques Cousteau to soaring to stratospheric heights, our Explorer-led conservation work continues to document and share our world’s greatest mysteries and complexities to this day.
In 1959, the National Geographic Society supported Jacques Cousteau's deep-water engineering and photographic projects aboard his diving saucer, the first modern undersea research submersible.
Video courtesy of the National Geographic Society’s Special Collections.
On November 11, 1935, before a crowd of soldiers, scientists, engineers and members of the Sioux Nation, the National Geographic Society-U.S. Army Air Corps Stratosphere Project’s Explorer II launched and climbed to 72,395 feet (nearly 14 miles). Captain Albert W. Stevens and Captain Orvil A. Anderson were awarded the Society’s highest honor, the Hubbard Medal, for their feat.
Video courtesy of the National Geographic Society’s Special Collections.
Since our first expedition in 1890, the Society has provided more than 15,000 grants to Explorers for work across all seven continents. Today, the Society celebrates our legendary legacy and takes the next step forward to strengthen our foundation, build on our momentum, and set a clear vision for the future to drive significant impact. For example, programs like National Geographic Pristine Seas utilize state-of-the-art equipment to gather data from and film the ocean — the least explored and understood part of our planet. In a collaboration between Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the National Geographic Society, Africa Refocused helps ensure that the stories of Africa are told by and from the perspectives of African people. And the Society-supported Preserving Legacies project collaborates with communities across the globe to safeguard their natural and cultural heritage against the impacts of climate change. As part of our support for this incredible work, we actively seek to help Explorers network, connect and learn with National Geographic and each other, empower them with cutting-edge tools, technology and training, and further their impact and recognition through storytelling.
Nathan Rice, a NEWF Fellow, (R) with National Geographic Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok during a Cinematography Lab at Bayala Reserve in South Africa.
Photo by Anthony Ochieng Onyango/National Geographic.
Today, we continue to host live events where audiences hear behind-the-scenes stories from Explorers, photographers, scientists, filmmakers and adventurers. And with the highly-anticipated National Geographic Museum of Exploration set to open this summer in the heart of Washington, D.C., you can experience the world like never before through immersive exhibits and cutting-edge technologies that reveal the wildlife, landscapes, communities and cultures that make up our incredible planet. Join us as we push the boundaries of what’s possible and ignite your curiosity about the wonder of our world.
Visualizations by REDVERTEX, Copyright (c) 2024 National Geographic Society, based on designs Copyright (c) 2024 Hickok Cole Architects, Inc.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Jen Onorati is a Social Media Manager for the National Geographic Society. With a drive to tell stories that spark joy and inspire action, she’s dedicated to sharing narratives that celebrate the complexities of life.
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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