The American College of Nurse-Midwives and its antecedents: a historic time line.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, this time line presents a chronologic history of the development of nurse-midwifery in the United States. It places the introduction of nurse-midwifery in American health care into its historic context and follows the evolution of the profession through early attempts at forming a national organization, the eventual formation of the American College of Nurse-Midwifery, and the subsequent merger with the American Association of Nurse-Midwives, to create the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The work of the College between 1955 and the turn of the 21st century is highlighted.