U.S. Department of State

City: Washington

State: DC

One of the original federal departments created on July 27, 1789, the Department of State is responsible for foreign relations and is headed by the secretary of state.

Frederick H. Hartmann, "State, Department of," Dictionary of American History, rev. ed. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976), 6:388; "An Act for Establishing an Executive Department, to be Denominated the Department of Foreign Affairs," 27 July 1789, Statutes at Large of the United States 1 (1845):28-29; "An Act to Provide for the Safe-Keeping of the Acts, Records and Seal of the United States, and for Other Purposes," 15 September 1789, Statutes at Large of the United States 1 (1845):68-69.