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
![Smedley Family](png/toastmasters-smedley-family.png)
![Young Smedley](png/toastmasters-young-smedley.png)
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
![Santa Ana First Headquarters](png/toastmasters-santa-ana-building-first-headquarters.png)
![First Club Meeting](png/toastmasters-first-club-meeting.png)
![Anaheim Club Charter](png/toastmasters-anaheim-club-charter-1932.png)
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
![C Clark Chamberlain](png/toastmasters-clark-chamberlain.png)
![Articles of Incorporation](png/toastmasters-articles-incorporation.png)
![Amateur Chairman Manual](png/toastmasters-amateur-chairman-manual.png)
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
![Basic Training Manual](png/toastmasters-basic-training-manual.png)
![Older Smedley and Wife](png/toastmasters-older-smedley-and-wife.png)
![RSM Museum](png/toastmasters-rsm-museum-005.png)
![Smedley and two men with flag](png/toastmasters-smedley-two-men-flag.png)
![Ted Blanding senior](png/toastmasters-ted-blanding-senior.png)
![Ted Blanding and Ralph Smedley](png/toastmasters-ted-blanding-smedley.png)
1959
- The Story of Toastmasters (Reminiscences of the Founder) published
![Convention Banquet](png/toastmasters-convention-banquet-1951.png)
![Forley](png/toastmasters-forley.png)
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
![Smedley Funeral](png/toastmasters-funeral.png)
![Smedley at desk](png/toastmasters-smedley-at-his-desk.png)
![New Santa Ana Headquarters](png/toastmasters-new-santa-ana-headquarters.png)
1973
- Membership opened to women
1974
- Membership reaches more than 60,000 in 3,000 clubs in 41 countries
- Toastmasters International celebrates 50th anniversary
![Advanced Communication Leadership](png/toastmasters-advanced-communication-leadership.png)
![Helen Blanchard](png/toastmasters-helen-blanchard.png)
![Speech Contest Winners](png/toastmasters-speech-contest-winners-76.png)
1982
- Membership reaches 100,000
1985
- Helen Blanchard first female president
1989
- Membership reaches 150,000
![RSM Building Plans](png/toastmasters-rsm-building-plans.png)
![1981 Magazine page](png/toastmasters-1981-magazine-page.png)
![1981 Magazine Convention](png/toastmasters-1981-magazine-convention.png)
1991
- Toastmasters headquarters moves from Santa Ana to Rancho Santa Margarita, California
1993
- Clubs reach 8000-milestone
1995
- First website launched
![RSM Board Meeting](png/toastmasters-rsm-board-meeting.png)
![RSM Grand Opening](png/toastmasters-rsm-grand-opening.png)
![RSM New WHQ](png/toastmasters-rsm-new-whq.png)
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
![14 Global Regions](png/toastmasters-14-global-regions.png)
![Jana Barnhill Madame President](png/toastmasters-jana-barnhill-madame-president-cartoon.png)
![Jana Barnhill Presidents Wall](png/toastmasters-jana-barnhill-presidents-wall.png)
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
![New Brand Guidelines](png/toastmasters-new-brand-guidelines.png)
![Colorado Ribbon Cutting](png/toastmasters-colorado-ribbon-cutting.png)
![2018 Women WCPS Finalists](png/toastmasters-2018-women-wcps-finalists.png)
2020
- Toastmasters/Rotary announce strategic alliance
- Pandemic drives club meetings online; 83% soon go virtual
- Free 2020 Public Speaking Webinar Series begins
- Pathways becomes the official education program
- First all-virtual International Convention/World Championship of Public Speaking®
- Toastmaster magazine wins Folio national editorial awards
- Toastmasters turns 96
- Toastmasters-developed education courses go live at Rotary International
Envisioned Future
To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development
Toastmasters International Mission
We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
District Mission
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
Club Mission
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Additional resources
Vintage Publications
View early Toastmasters manuals and magazines.
Accolades Through the Years
View recognition letters from famous figures in history.
History Lesson
Read how Toastmasters evolved.
International Presidents
Scroll through images of Toastmasters leaders.