The O. Henry Award is a prestigious annual award given for outstanding short stories published in the United States. Established in 1919, it honors the best in the genre, celebrating the craft of storytelling and the art of surprise endings, which is a hallmark of O. Henry's own work. Winners are selected by a panel of judges and are typically announced in the spring. Each winning story is included in an anthology, showcasing the diverse voices and styles of contemporary writers. The award has become a significant recognition in the literary community, encouraging excellence in short fiction.