Submit Search Search
FBI
  • Most Wanted
  • News
  • What We Investigate
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Submit a Tip
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • FBI Jobs
  • Facebook Icon
  • Email Icon
  • Twitter Icon
  • Youtube Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • LinkedIn Icon
  • Instagram Icon
Federal Bureau of Investigation Logo FBIFederal Bureau of Investigation

History

History

  • A Brief History
  • Directors, Then and Now
  • Famous Cases & Criminals
  • Field Office Histories
  • Wall of Honor
  • Reports & Publications
  • Seal & Motto
  • Stories & Multimedia
  • Timeline
  • History of FBI Headquarters


A Brief History

A Brief History

This was a time when America needed a new kind of agency to protect and defend against rampant…


Directors, Then and Now

Directors, Then and Now

Since its beginning in 1908, the FBI has been led by a single individual. At first called “Chief…

Famous Cases & Criminals

Famous Cases & Criminals

John Dillinger. Al Capone. The KKK. The Unabomber. John Gotti. Bonnie and Clyde. The FBI has investigated them…


Field Office Histories

Field Office Histories

Each of the FBI’s 56 field offices has its own story to tell—a piece of the…

Wall of Honor

Wall of Honor

The FBI honors special agents killed in the line of duty and agents and professional staff employees who…

Reports & Publications

Reports & Publications

Read our full-length history publications and several shorter specialized histories, including the early days of the Bureau.

Seal & Motto

Seal & Motto

Explains the heraldry of the FBI and the origins of the FBI motto. 

Stories & Multimedia

Stories & Multimedia

Collection of the regular series of stories, videos, and other multimedia on the Bureau's past and related…

Timeline

Timeline

Key dates and milestones in the history of the FBI decade-by-decade from 1908 until the present.


Section Links

Most Wanted

  • Ten Most Wanted
  • Fugitives
  • Terrorism
  • Kidnappings/Missing Persons
  • Seeking Information
  • Bank Robbers
  • ECAP
  • ViCAP

News

  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Press Releases
  • Speeches
  • Testimony
  • Podcasts and Radio
  • Photos
  • Español
  • Apps

What We Investigate

  • Terrorism
  • Counterintelligence
  • Cyber Crime
  • Public Corruption
  • Civil Rights
  • Organized Crime
  • White-Collar Crime
  • Violent Crime
  • WMD

Services

  • CJIS
  • CIRG
  • Laboratory Services
  • Training Academy
  • Operational Technology
  • Information Management

About

  • Mission & Priorities
  • Leadership & Structure
  • Partnerships
  • Community Outreach
  • FAQs

Resources

  • Law Enforcement
  • Businesses
  • Victim Assistance
  • Reports and Publications

Contact Us

  • Field Offices
  • FBI Headquarters
  • Overseas Offices

FBI Jobs

More

  • Submit a Tip
  • Crime Statistics
  • History
  • FOIPA
  • Scams & Safety
  • FBI Kids
  • FBI Tour
  • Accessibility
  • eRulemaking
  • Freedom of Information/Privacy Act
  • Legal Notices
  • Legal Policies and Disclaimers
  • Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • USA.gov
  • White House
  • No FEAR Act

FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. government, U.S. Department of Justice

  • Home
  • Most Wanted
  • News
  • What We Investigate
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Submit a Tip
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • FBI Jobs
  • Crime Statistics
  • Photos
  • Video
  • Outreach
  • History
  • FOIPA
  • Scams & Safety
  • FBI Kids