The Modem Language Journal, official organ of the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations, will be forty years old next month. PMLA salutes a younger brother, wishing him long life and prosperity. To commemorate this birthday we offer herewith a study of the MLJ under its first four editors. These were critical years, not only for the fledgling Journal, but for the whole profession of modern foreign language teachers. The staff of the MLA's Foreign Language Program believes firmly that study of the past can often throw light on problems of the present. It is in this spirit that we invite attention to the period 1916–30.
