In what year was the first fraternity founded?

• A. January 1, 1776
• B. December 5, 1776
• C. December 25, 1776
• D. July 4, 1776

Answer: (B)

The founding date of Phi Beta Kappa marks the birth of the first Greek-letter fraternity in the United States. Phi Beta Kappa was established on December 5, 1776 at the College of William and Mary, which makes 1776 the correct year. It began as a small literary society focused on scholarship and philosophy, later inspiring many other fraternities on college campuses. The documented founding date is December 5, 1776, so that is the best choice for precise history. The key takeaway is recognizing 1776 as the year when the first fraternity emerged in America.