The history of the competition starts in 1876, when the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) decided to organize a national championships.

The seventh, eight, and ninth edition of the Fall Games became the country's first, second and third national track and field championships.

Oct 11, 1890 Third Annual AAU T&F National Championship competition was held at Washington, DC.

A spin-off group, The Athletics Congress, held its first national track and field championships in 1980.

The Athletics Congress was renamed USA Track & Field in 1993, and they have organized the annual championships ever since.

[1] The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and the TrackTown USA Local Organizing Committee announced the release of the updated competition schedule for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, that will take place June 18-27, 2021, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

[2] The following athletics events are currently featured on the national championships' program: In earlier editions before 1974, running distances were often measured in yards.

1878 Mott Haven, NY Oct 12, 1878 1877 Mott Haven, NY Sept 8, 1877 1876 Mott Haven, NY Sept 30, 1876 [5] The 1876 Amateur Championship included the following winners: Frederick C Saportas (100), Edward Merritt (440), Harold Lambe (Canadian) (880 and mile), George Hitchcock (120 hurdles), H Edwards Fickens (HJ), Isaiah Frazier (LJ), Harry Buermeyer (SP), William Buckingham Curtis(HT), and D M Stern & Charles Connor (Walks).