Establishment of a Commission to Collect Statistics on the Subject of International Exchanges - June 23, 1860

On June 23, 1860, an event often confused in historical records with the establishment of the U.S. Secret Service took place. On this date, Abraham Lincoln was not yet president, as he was elected later that year and took office in March 1861. The confusion primarily arises because the U.S. Secret Service was indeed created by Abraham Lincoln, but on July 5, 1865, not June 23, 1860.

Historical Context

During the late 1850s and early 1860s, the United States was grappling with sectional tensions over issues such as slavery and states’ rights, which eventually led to the Civil War. Meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln was a rising political figure from Illinois, and in 1860, he became the Republican candidate for the presidential election.

The 1860 Event

On June 23, 1860, in a completely separate event, President James Buchanan, who was in office at the time, dealt with matters unrelated to the founding of the Secret Service.

The Secret Service Creation

The U.S. Secret Service was founded on July 5, 1865. President Lincoln, on the day of his assassination (April 14, 1865), had approved the creation of this agency to combat the rampant counterfeiting of U.S. currency post-Civil War. This move was instrumental in stabilizing the nation’s monetary system during the Reconstruction era.

Conclusion

The confusion around the date highlights the importance of accurate historical record-keeping. The U.S. Secret Service was indeed established by an authorization signed by Abraham Lincoln but on a different date in history — July 5, 1865. The focus in the early stages of the agency was primarily on combating counterfeiting until its later expansion to include the protection of national leaders.