2815: Secret Service Sep 4, 2024

When we think of the Secret Service today, images of stern-faced agents in dark suits and earpieces immediately come to mind—always vigilant, always close by the President of the United States. However, the name "Secret Service" originally had a very different connotation. Established in 1865 under the Department of the Treasury, the Secret Service was tasked with operating covertly to combat the rampant counterfeiting of U.S. currency that threatened the post-Civil War economy. The name referred to the agents' undercover work, infiltrating and dismantling counterfeit operations.

Over time, however, the meaning of "Secret Service" evolved significantly. Following the assassinations of Presidents Garfield and McKinley, the agency was assigned the additional role of protecting the President. The "secret" aspect shifted from undercover financial crime-fighting to the discreet and vigilant protection of the nation's leaders. Today, while the Secret Service still handles financial crimes, the public associates its name primarily with its protective mission, showing how its focus has changed from stealth in law enforcement to silent guardianship.