The Southern Federation is a cultural organization that was formed in 1931 to promote pure Americanism, to maintain traditional fellowship, heritage, and culture, and to encourage educational, civic, and charitable projects. Most of our forefathers emigrated from the Levant prior to either Lebanon or Syria becoming nations independent of the Ottoman Empire. Still, as Lebanon is mentioned 71 times in the Bible and Syria has an ancient name and identity far older than the nation, most of our members identify their heritage as Lebanese or Syrian. Nearly all Syrian and Lebanese immigrants at the time of our founding were, and the vast majority of Americans of Lebanese and Syrian heritage remain, Catholic or Orthodox. Devotion to God and love of family are tenets of our culture. Our clubs are social clubs, that celebrate our heritage and its contributions to the United States, without religious affiliation or political stance and are open to all, regardless of politics or creed.