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Our association celebrates its centennial in 2021.

Our story began with a calling: to serve those who sacrificed so much for our country in World War I. Where others saw limitation, we saw potential.

Since our founding in 1921, we have moved forward together, with a passion and commitment to transform lives and strengthen our profession.

View our centennial timeline to see how you can participate in our celebration of APTA's first 100 years.

Watch our APTA Founders' Day Celebration. And get your centennial gear in the APTA store.


Recommended Content

APTA Online Timeline

May 8, 2020 / Website

Book: A Century of Movement: Milestones of APTA's First 100 Years

Jan 1, 2021 / Resource

The First 100 Years of APTA

May 8, 2020 / Article


Additional APTA History Content

Seminal APTA Guide to PT Practice Gets an Update

Apr 12, 2023 / News

The physical therapy profession has evolved, and so has its foundational resource.

2022 Presidential Address

Aug 14, 2022 / Statement

APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA, provided his annual address on August 14 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC.

2022 APTA Candidate Statements Posted

May 4, 2022 / News

Elections will be held on July 30 during a virtual meeting of the APTA House of Delegates.

APTA Centennial Scholars Spotlight: March 2022

Mar 1, 2022 / Feature

This month, APTA Magazine spotlights the following APTA Centennial Scholars: Nicole Needles, Zach Sutton, Emelia D. McCuen, Amyko J. Wells, Amy Schubert, Patrick Barber, and Brooke Sullivan.

Physical Therapy Leader Richard Darnell, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Dies at 88

Feb 11, 2022 / News

Darnell's contributions spanned physical therapy education, interdisciplinary practice, specialization, and more.

A View From the Summit: Physical Therapy's Promising Future

Feb 1, 2022 / Feature

APTA's Future of Physical Therapy Summit offered inspiration — and a challenge to take risks to help the profession achieve its potential.

Something To Run Toward

Feb 1, 2022 / Feature

New APTA President Roger Herr talks about moving from clinician to manager, how his parents were role models, and his plans for the association.

James Armour, Former APTA Treasurer, Dies

Jan 18, 2022 / News

In addition to leadership roles in both APTA national and APTA Pennsylvania, Armour was committed to community service.

100 Years and Counting

Dec 1, 2021 / Feature

APTA's centennial has been about more than our history. It's about where we are today and the possibilities for the profession's next century.