Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, the journal of the Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS), marks its 25th anniversary in 2004. The journal, originally called Environmental Mutagenesis, was established in 1979 with Seymour Abrahamson as its first editor. The development of the journal is closely linked to the evolution of the fields of mutation research and genetic toxicology. This perspective traces the founding of the journal and discusses its editorial history, growth, content, style, administration, and relationship to the EMS.