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Article: Phi Beta Kappa Society
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
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PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY
PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY,
a collegiate honors society. It is the oldest and generally considered the most prestigious undergraduate honors society in the United States. Taking its name from the initials of the Greek motto "Philosophia Biou Kubernetes" (Love of wisdom, the guide of life), the organization was founded on 5 December 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Phi Beta Kappa was originally created as a secret social and literary organization, complete with an elaborate initiation process and an oath of secrecy. The original society at Williamand Mary was only active for four years, until the school was forced to shut down because ...