Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) is an international fraternity founded in 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Its headquarters is located on the Miami University campus. Phi Delta Theta along with Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has approximately 150 chapters and colonies in over 40 United States and six Canadian provinces and has initiated more than 227,000 men between 1848 and 2007.^[1] There are over 140,000 living alumni. Chartered house corporations own more than 120 houses valued at $50 million. ^[2] There are nearly 100 recognized alumni clubs across the U.S. and Canada.

The fraternity was founded by six undergraduate students: Robert Morrison, John Wolfe Lindley, Ardivan Walker Rodgers, Andrew Watts Rogers, John McMillan Wilson and Robert Thompson Drake who are collectively known as the The Immortal Six. Phi Delta Theta was created under three principle objectives: "the cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality".^[3] These cardinal principles are contained in The Bond of Phi Delta Theta, the document in which every member, known as Phis or Phi Delts, pledges himself to upon his initiation into the fraternity.

Among the most well known members of the fraternity include Benjamin Harrison the 23rd President of the United States, Baseball Hall of Fame member Lou Gehrig, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the first man to walk on the moon Neil Armstrong, and Burt Reynolds.

Founding

Phi Beta Kappa was the first Greek letter organization founded in the United States when it was created on December 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1839, Beta Theta Pi was founded at Miami University in Ohio, the first fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains. In protest against the president of the university, members of Beta Theta Pi and another fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi, blocked the entrances of the main educational and administrative building in what became known as the Great Snowball Rebellion of 1847. ^[4]

The "Immortal Six" of Phi Delta Theta:

Robert Morrison	John Wolfe Lindley
Ardivan Walker Rodgers	Andrew Watts Rogers
John McMillan Wilson	Robert Thompson Drake

A year later, after the president expelled most of the students involved in the uprising, Phi Delta Theta was formed. Six men staying in a dormitory the day after Christmas formed the Greek-letter society. Robert Morrison, a senior, proposed to fellow classmate John McMillan Wilson that they bond together to form a secret society. They invited juniors Robert Thompson Drake and John Wolfe Lindley and sophomores Ardivan Walker Rodgers and Andrew Watts Rogers into the fold. These men are known today as "The Immortal Six". The first meeting was held in Wilson's room at Old North Hall, now called Elliot Hall. ^[4]

During the early meetings, the Founders wrote The Bond of Phi Delta Theta, which is the fundamental law of the Fraternity. It has remained unchanged ever since, and so far as is known, it is believed to be the only document of any fraternity of such a character. ^[1] Morrison designed the shield form of the badge, with the eye as an emblem, while Wilson suggested the scroll with the Greek letters on it. The first branch of Phi Delta Theta was founded at Indiana University in 1849. The activities of the fraternity was sub rosa for its first three years of existence fearing punishment from the university. Eventually as the organization attracted new individuals into their membership including prominent university officials, members began to openly wear their badges indicating their affiliation.

The Early Years

Phi Delta Theta held its first convention in 1851 in Cincinnati, Ohio when the organization only had four chapters. The event was attended by seven members. Despite the limited number, positive steps were taken for the establishment of new chapters by forming an expansion committee. It was also during the first convention where the chapter at Miami University was designated as the Grand Chapter whose duties were to oversee the overall fraternity operations. Subsequent conventions were held again in Cincinnati five years later; Bloomington, Indiana in 1858; and Danville, Kentucky in 1860. Another convention was held in 1864 in Bloomington during the Civil War. The War Between the States was difficult for all fraternities. Battles put fraternity brother against fraternity brother. 231 Phis fought for the Union Army while 50 Phis fought on the side of the Confederacy ^[5]

It was not until the 1868 Indianapolis convention that the first steps in the creation of an overall administration took place. The convention was regarded as the first "National Convention" because it was during this time when permanent convention rules were adopted. Twelve years later, the most important of all Phi Delta Theta conventions took place. The Indianapolis Convention of 1880 established new ritual, insignia, and customs that are still used today. ^[6] Moreover, the convention saw the creation of the General Council, the governing body of the fraternity, with Walter B. Palmer, Emory-Vanderbilt 1877, and George Banta, Franklin-Indiana 1876, becoming the president and historian, respectively. The convention also called for the organization of groups of chapters into provinces which were to be headed by province presidents.

A housing movement began to form during this time. The movement arose out of necessity because it was pointed out that chapter meetings were being conducted in rented halls. Even though the housing movement had been gaining momentum, it wasn't until the 1892 convention where a resolution was passed which advocated that all chapters at least rent a house or own one. ^[7] In the last two decades of the 19th century over 50 chapter houses were acquired.

For a brief period a resolution was set forth to allow chapters to initiate women. ^[8]First proposed in 1869, this was considered a radical idea both from a fraternal standpoint and social one as well since women were not allowed to vote until 1920. ^[9] Though it was met with strong opposition, the issue would not be settled for a number of years.

During the two decades from 1870 to 1890, the growth of the fraternity was rapid, due principally to the efforts of Palmer and Banta. The two were given the title “Second Founders” for their work. ^[10]

50th Anniversary of Phi Delta Theta with Founders Morrison and Lindley in the fore front. From the 1898 Convention.

In the 1870s alone, 34 new chapters were established, but this was also a period of uncertainty because of the anti-fraternity sentiment held by many faculty in schools where Phi Delta Theta had chapters. ^[10] Several chapters became dormant because of this. The fraternity continued steady growth, and by 1889, there were 66 chapters in 27 states.

Since 1848 nearly 260 charters have been granted across The United States and Canada. Today, there are over 165 chapters and colonies