Since Toastmasters began, more than three million men and women have benefited from the communication and leadership programs of the organization.

The first "Toastmasters" club was formed on October 22, 1924 when a group of men, assembled by founder, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California. The purpose was to form a club "to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members."

A second club was started a year later in Anaheim, California, followed by a third in Los Angeles, California. By 1930, it was apparent that a federation was necessary to coordinate activities of the clubs and to provide standard methods. After formation of a club in Victoria, British Columbia, the group became known as Toastmasters International.

Growth was slow during the early years, but the number of clubs increased steadily. Membership in Toastmasters International expanded rapidly after World War II, and by 1954, the number of Toastmasters clubs approached 1,500.

In 1973, Toastmasters club membership was opened to women, enabling them to benefit also from self-development in communication and leadership. In the same year, a comprehensive listening program was introduced to further help members develop their communication skills.

The forerunner of today's Communication and Leadership Program was introduced in 1942 and has since been expanded and updated continually to keep abreast of the times and members' needs. New programs, including the modular Advanced Manual series, Leadership Manual, and Success/Leadership series have augmented the Basic Communication and Leadership Program. Growth in new clubs has continued to increase, and now the number of clubs tops the 11,500 mark with more than 230,000 members in over 90 countries.