FBI History

FBI

A Brief History

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was founded in 1908 during President Roosevelt's term in office. From approximately 1910 to 1913 the FBI member total grew to about three hundred members.

From 1923 to 1933 the main focus of the FBI was the gangster activity in the United States along with the reincarnation of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The depression that commenced in 1929 and went to the late 1930's caused an increase in criminal activity and thus kept the FBI busy.

During World War II, the FBI became responsible for intelligence, sabotage and espionage. The FBI also located draft evaders and deserters during World War II.

In 1950, the FBI started its 10 most wanted criminal list and posters. The FBI's hope was that the most wanted lists would help them catch the top criminals.

In the 1960's the FBI grew to approximately 6700 Special Agents. The increase in personal was also due to the increase in violence over the next ten years. This erea was marked by the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War and an increase in bombings and bomb thrests throughout the United States.

The 1970's was marked by Watergate. Watergate in and of itself should have its own historical outline which will not be done here. By the end of the 1970's the FBI membership for Special Agents had reached approximately 8000.

For the FBI, the 1980's was marked with a significant increase in spy investigations. Terrorism was also another crime that the FBI was focusing on and was triggered by the FBI involvement in the security at the Olympics which was located in Los Angeles in 1984. By the end of the 1980's the Special Agent numbers had increased to approximately 9600.

From 1990 to the next century, the FBI found themselves investigating highly publicized criminal events such as The World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the Unabomber along with other significant events. With the increase in the popularity of the computer and the internet, this era also marked a time for change and adaptation to deal with internet crime for the FBI.

The 21st century for the FBI has been overshadowed by the attacks on the US on September 11th, 2001. September 11th was an international incident that is mourned to this day. Our prayers are with the families of all those whose lives were touched by 911.