The Elks was established by actor Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian in New York City on February 16, 1868.

The Association was disbanded after the 1907 Grand Lodge passed a resolution banning mutual or insurance features, as well as degrees and auxiliaries.

[citation needed] The Elks have shown their devotion to Americanism by conducting bond drives, promoting civil defense programs, and Flag Day observances.

An "Elks National Service Commission" was in operation from 1946 to 1950, and the Grand Lodge adopted a "Declaration of American Principles" in 1961 in Miami.

[8] The Elk was selected as a symbol for the organization because it is a herd animal that is native to America that is large and strong, yet graceful and fleet of foot.

The Exalted Ruler or a member designated by that person gives the 11 o'clock toast, of which this version is the most common: You have heard the tolling of eleven strokes.

Wherever Elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour falls upon the dial of night, the great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs.

Morning and noon may pass them by, the light of day sink heedlessly in the West, but ere the shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memory will be pealing forth the friendly message: "To Our Absent Members.

According to sociologists Alvin J. Schmidt and Nicholas Babchuk, members primarily joined the Elks to be "provided with entertainment, liquor, and food at reasonable rates" in the social quarters.

Due to the willingness of most Elks Lodges to respond to community needs and events, it has been internally common to turn the BPOE abbreviation into a backronym for "Best People on Earth".

As of the close of the 2021 fiscal year, they boast more than 120,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $833.1 million.

[28][29][independent source needed] The rotunda displays murals and statues illustrating the Elks' four cardinal virtues: charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity.

Despite its 1907 resolution banning any auxiliaries, the Elks at one point had a youth affiliate for young men called the Antlers.

Despite 86 local Antlers groups still existing in 1946, the Grand Lodge deleted all references to them in their constitution and bylaws that year.

[33] Throughout American history, many Elks lodges have been criticized for excluding African-Americans, Jews, Italians, women, atheists, and others from membership.

The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World was founded in 1897 due to the exclusion of African-Americans from the BPOE.

In 1979, the qualifications for membership included being male, at least 21 years old, of sound mind and body, a citizen of the United States, and not a member of the Communist Party.

A 1956 ADL study showed that nearly 15% of BPOE lodges in the survey excluded Jewish people from membership.

[37][38] By the following year, however, a resolution to repeal the discriminatory clause of the national constitution passed, desegregating the organization.

[39][40] In Beynon v. St. George-Dixie Lodge 1743 (1993),[41] the Utah Supreme Court ruled that while freedom of association allowed the Elks to remain a men-only organization, "the Elks may not avail itself of the benefits of a liquor license and the license's concomitant state regulation" as long as it violated the Utah State Civil Rights Act.

Faced with losing their liquor licenses if they did not admit women, the Elks Lodges of Utah voted to become unisex in June 1993,[42] which was followed by a vote at the Elks National Convention in July 1995[43] to remove the word "male" from the national membership requirements.