Ornithologists Unite (Historical)

The formation of the American Ornithologists’ Union on September 26, 1883, by 20 “distinguished ornithologists” known collectively as the “founders,” at a meeting held at the American Museum of Natural History, was deemed newsworthy enough to warrant coverage in the New York Times. Would a comparable event (i.e., the formation of a scientific organization with 20 founding members) generate the same media coverage today? Sadly, the answer is, "Not very likely."