FBI History

Directors Then and Now Photographs and biographies of FBI Directors since 1908

History of the FBI Detailed description from 1908 to the present

FBI Headquarters The J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building from start to finish

Freedom of Information Act Thousands of pages of frequently requested historical records

Historic Dates Timeline of important events in FBI history

Hall of Honor In honor of FBI Agents killed in the line of duty

Famous Cases Including gangsters, spies, and Top Tenners

Heraldry of the FBI Seal The significance of each symbol and color of the FBI seal

Historical Documents from the Bureau's Founding

Founding Order
July 26, 1908

All matters relating to investigations under the Department, except those to be made by bank examiners, and in connection with the naturalization service, will be referred to the Chief Examiner for a memorandum as to whether any member of the force of special agents under his direction
is available for the work to be performed. No authorization of expenditure for special examinations shall be made by any officer of the Department, without first ascertaining whether one of the regular force is available for the service desired, and, in case the service cannot be performed by the regular force of special agents of the Department, the matter will be specially called to the attention of the Attorney General, or Acting Attorney General, together with a statement from the Chief Examiner as to the reasons why a regular employee cannot be assigned to the work, before authorization shall be made for any expenditure of any money for this purpose.

CHARLES J. BONAPARTE,
Attorney General.