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Two other sessions followed, both of which featured senior leadership from around the Department.įollowing the morning sessions, Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources Carol Z. Sullivan introduced a historians’ panel led by former Director of Policy and Planning Dr. As we reflect on 230 years of American diplomacy, we must continue to draw on and learn from our past, as we look forward to advance our values and priorities as one team, with one mission, and one future.” “The work that you do every day to advance our mission builds upon that strong foundation laid by our forebears. “Our State Department team members shape the world, and your contributions will make history,” said Sullivan. Jimenezĭeputy Secretary John Sullivan delivered opening remarks at the Dean Acheson Auditorium, highlighting the Department’s history and reflecting on the significance of 230 years of American diplomacy. Diplomacy Center further highlighted historic milestones and showcased the 70 men and women who have served as secretary of state.ĭeputy Secretary John Sullivan welcomes the audience to the Department’s 230th Anniversary celebration. The event honored the thousands of men and women who have played pivotal roles throughout the Department’s history and emphasized the Department’s forward-looking Ethos that calls for “One Team, One Mission, One Future.” An exhibit in the U.S. In recognition of its momentous anniversary, the Department hosted a daylong celebration in Washington, July 29. While the Department’s duties and location have evolved over the past 230 years, its diverse history has laid the groundwork for American diplomacy today.

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The Department’s full history has been documented and published by the Office of the Historian. However, the Department still retains a few of its original domestic responsibilities such as being the keeper of the Great Seal. During the 19th century, most domestic duties were turned over to other federal departments and agencies, which allowed the Department to refocus on establishing foreign policy and managing foreign affairs. Other agencies were later established to handle special functions and circumstances that stemmed from World War I and World War II. Until 1976, the Department was the sole agency developing foreign policy and handling foreign affairs.

Finally, in 1800 the Department made its home in Washington, D.C., first at the Treasury Department building, then moving to seven other buildings before settling at its current location in the Harry S. In its early years, the location of the Department changed frequently with the first physical building being situated in Philadelphia. Jefferson also oversaw the creation of the first pay scale for U.S. consular officers, which was approved and written into law by Congress in 1792. However, Jefferson was able to establish a basis for foreign affairs by defining the duties of U.S. Jefferson’s views on both issues differed from those of Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, which caused a strong political rivalry and led to conflict within Washington’s cabinet. Additionally, the administration’s most pressing issues at the time included tackling national debt and establishing a permanent location for the nation’s capital. Jefferson’s prior experience as minister to France made him an ideal candidate to be the nation’s top diplomat, but his pro-France stance contrasted with Washington’s preference for neutrality during the war between Britain and France. While foreign affairs was the original focus, the nation’s first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, envisioned a more domestic approach for the Department. Mint, taking the census and maintaining the Great Seal of the United States.

Additional legislation established by Congress and President George Washington in September 1789 assigned the Department a variety of domestic duties which included managing the U.S. The Department of State became one of the first federal agencies when the First Federal Congress of the United States established the Department of Foreign Affairs, July 27, 1789.

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