There are some situations when the best evidence of success is found in a company's history. More often than not, dividends fit that mold.

Decided on by the board of directors, a long history of dividend increases is a very good indication that a company places a high value on returning value to investors via, well, dividends.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) have among the most impressive dividend histories you'll find in corporate America. Here are five factors investors should consider.

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Source Fool.com