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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Documents on the History of U.S. Foreign Relations
    • I am interested in doing research in Department of State records. Where can I find Department documents?
    • I am interested in information about the career of a former Department employee. Where can I find information on employee records?
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  • About the Office of the Historian
    • How can I get a job in the Office of the Historian?
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  • Department History
    • Why is the Department called the Department of State?
    • Why does the Department of State have possession of the Great Seal of the United States?
  • Diplomatic Relations
    • When did the United States start/break off relations with …?
    • What country was the first to recognize the United States?
    • Who was the first U.S. Consul?
    • When was the first U.S. treaty signed?
    • What was the first U.S. treaty with a non-European nation?
    • What was the first U.S. treaty to be ratified under the Constitution?
    • When and where was the first U.S. consular post established?
  • The Secretaries of State
    • How many Secretaries of State have there been?
    • Has any member of the Foreign Service served as Secretary of State?
    • Who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State?
    • Who was the first African American to serve as Secretary of State?
    • Were there equivalents to the Secretary of State prior to the Constitution?
    • Who was the first Secretary of State to travel outside the United States while in office?
    • Who was the first Secretary of State to travel outside the United States on official business?
  • Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission
    • Who was the first Ambassador to …?
    • Who were the first U.S. Ambassadors?
    • How many U.S. Ambassadors have been killed by militants?
  • The Foreign Service
    • What was the origin of the Foreign Service?
    • When was the Consular Service established?
    • When did U.S. consuls first receive a salary?
    • Who were the first professional consular appointees?
    • What was the forerunner of the Foreign Service Examination?
    • When was the present-day Foreign Service established?
  • Women in the Foreign Service
  • African Americans in the Foreign Service
  • Diplomatic and Consular Posts, 1781-2010
  • Department Personnel, 1781-2010

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Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute
United States Department of State

history@state.gov

Phone: 202-955-0200

Fax: 202-955-0268