Golden Key National Honor Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 29, 1977. In 2001, the society modified its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling.

Honor societies have been recognized by universities in the United States for more than two centuries. The primary role of an honor society includes providing academic recognition to high-achieving students and establishing professional and social contacts for these students within a network of universities. Honor societies also bring together students from diverse faculties and degree programs within each university and reinforce students’ interaction with university staff.

Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over 1.8 million members from over 150 countries. Members include students from all over the world, faculty members, university staff, university presidents, teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders, and many more. There are also many prominent figures who are members.

Golden Key is governed by: