The CIA Begins

As World War II drew to an end, the need for a national intelligence gathering agency became more pressing. Earlier attempts at a successful group hadn't lasted, but on January 22, 1946, President Harry Truman established the National Intelligence Authority, which was to become the Central Intelligence Agency about eighteen months later.

The CIA is actually a civilian agency created to gather, process, and analyze information on foreign nations that could prove crucial to the security of the United States. The CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence and provides intelligence information for the President and his Cabinet.

CIA Headquarters, Langley, VA

Unlike the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the CIA has no law enforcement authority. But it is the only agency sanctioned by law to carry out covert operations as ordered by the President. Since the 911 attacks, the CIA has mushroomed in size and budget. In addition to looking for physical threats, it also watches cyber-operations. The agency has grown immensely since its beginnings on January 22, 1946.

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