America 250: Final Decision

The United States Secret Service stands as a testament to President Abraham Lincoln.

On April 14, 1865, legislation was enacted creating the United States Secret Service to combat the widespread circulation of counterfeit currency. That same evening, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. The agency was originally focused on protecting the nation’s financial system, not the president. The Secret Service formally began operations later that year within the Department of the Treasury. In 1901, following the assassination of President William McKinley, the agency took on the responsibility of protecting the president.