The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) is both a learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century American History and culture. Its mission has been to collect, preserve and make available for study all printed records of what is now known as the United States of America; from first European settlement through the year 1876. They offer programs for professional scholars; pre-collegiate; undergraduate and graduate students; educators; professional artists, writers, genealogists and the general public. Pre-Colonial America For details, see the main Pre-Colonial America article. ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... This article is about the continent. ... Genealogy is the study and tracing of family pedigrees. ...

Their library collections encompass more than three million books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, graphic arts materials and manuscripts housed within twenty-five miles worth of shelving. All fifty U.S. states, most of Canada and the British West Indies are included in their preeminent repository; which was founded in 1812 as the third oldest historical society and the first to be national in scope. Canada is a sovereign state in northern North America, the northern-most country in the world, and the second largest in total area. ... The British West Indies are those islands in the Caribbean that are or were British colonies. ... 1812 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...