• The U.S. Department of State, commonly called the State Department, is a Cabinet-level federal agency. It is headed by the Secretary of State, who is also the main adviser to the president on foreign affairs. The purpose of the State Department is to carry out the president’s foreign policies and assist government bureaus in other matters regarding foreign affairs. The State Department is also responsible for assisting U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad, assisting U.S. business in international markets and issuing passports and travel advisories.

• Fast Facts

  1. Formed: 1789
  2. Also known as: the State Department
  3. Secretary: Hillary Rodham Clinton
  4. Preceding agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs
  5. Headquarters: Harry S Truman Building, Washington, D.C.
  6. Employees (2006): 18,877Best Places to Work: Best Places to Work in the Federal Government (2007)
  7. Annual budget (2008): $10.1 billionU.S. Department of State: FY 2008 Budget in Brief

• Early History

  The Department of Foreign Affairs was founded in 1789, and was delegated many of the duties currently assigned to the U.S. Department of State. It was was originally in charge of a wide range of offices including the U.S. Mint. The Department was first led by Thomas Jefferson, who was appointed the first Secretary of State by George Washington in 1789.U.S. Department of State: Frequently Asked Historical Questions

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Hillary Rodham Clinton | Condoleezza Rice | Thomas Jefferson | Bureau of Consular Affairs | OSCE | U.S. Department of Justice | U.S. Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Energy | U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Peter the Great Warship

Categories

Would you like to become this page's manager? Mahalo pages can make up to $50 a month.

 

What is this?

View Top Managers

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page