FBI 100 - Let the Celebrations Begin

In the summer of 1908, an Attorney General named Charles Bonaparte cobbled together a band of 34 investigators into an experimental force of federal crime-fighters.

Over the past century, that unnamed force has evolved into today’s FBI—a full-fledged intelligence and national security agency, a highly-trained corps of more than 30,000 special agents and specialized professionals who work across the globe to combat some of the most dangerous threats facing the planet.

In nine days—on Saturday, July 26—the FBI will officially celebrate its 100th birthday and a century of service to the American people.

To help commemorate that anniversary, today has been proclaimed "FBI Day" by the President of the United States, and we will be holding several special events in the nation's capital.

Among the day's activities:

• In the early morning, Director Mueller observed a moment of silence in honor of our fallen agents in front of a centennial memorial wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
• Later this morning, the Director will join 2,000 guests from more than 100 countries—including a host of dignitaries, law enforcement officers, FBI employees, and others—at a special commemorative ceremony. Both the Director and Attorney General Michael Mukasey will offer anniversary remarks. Also attending will be former FBI Directors William S. Sessions, William H. Webster, and Louis Freeh, marking the first time that all four Directors will be together. At the event, Director Mueller will recognize our oldest living retired agent—Walter Walsh—and other heroes who serve our nation today.
• In the afternoon, Director Mueller will join our former Directors in dedicating the William H. Webster Conference Room at FBI Headquarters and Deputy Director John Pistole in hosting a reception for international dignitaries and our global partners.

The day's events are just part of a series of commemorative activities taking place worldwide. In the recent weeks, the men and women of the Bureau—often in conjunction with their partners and the people they serve—have begun marking the anniversary in their own unique ways in our 56 local field offices across the country and in our 62 legal attachés around the world.