A chronological history of major public relations organizations in the United States is presented in this paper. Following an overview of the public relations profession, the paper traces the development of several sporatically formed organizations, starting with the Financial Advertising Association in 1915, and leading to the largest organization in existence today, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The paper focuses on organizations for several specialized areas of public relations, along with reviewing the two major international associations--the International Public Relations Association and the Centre of European Public Relations. A number of items are appended, including a working definition of public relations, a copy of the Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Public Relations adopted by the PRSA, and lists of public relations organizations. (FL)