The Pan American Institute of Geography and History, which was recently recognized as a specialized agency of the Organization of the American States, began its work in 1929 through a resolution of the Pan American Assembly of Havana. The Mexican government offered a specially adapted building for the headquarters of the institute in Tacubaya, in the outskirts of Mexico City.

In 1941, during the Assembly of the Institute held in Lima, the advisability of modifying its structure was examined, with a view toward intensifying its technical work by means of the creation, of Commissions. The first of these to be organized was that on Cartography with headquarters in Washington. Later the Commission on Geography, with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, was established, as well as that on History, with headquarters in Mexico, the latter through a resolution of the Fourth Assembly of the Institute, held in Caracas in 1946.

The First Consultation Meeting of the Commission on History was held in Mexico in 1947 to determine its organization, rules and work program (Primera Reunión de Consulta de la Comisidn de Historia [Mexico, 1947], Publication no. 86 of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History).

In accordance with the Caracas resolution that created the Commission, and with those passed during the Consultation Meeting held in Mexico, four Committees of the Commission were also organized, as stated above.

These Committees were charged with carrying out specific projects which were also determined in the Meeting held in Mexico City, while it is the duty of the central body of the Commission to carry out all the other tasks which were not specifically assigned to the Committees.