U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowGovernment Website**Official websites use .gov**
              
                              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Safely connect using HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock**
                (A locked padlock)
                or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  
 Menu

      close
        
                            Enter Search Term
                Search
      Topics
      
                
  
          Topics


      
        Topics
    
    
              Border Security
      
    
              Citizenship and Immigration
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Disasters
      
    
              Election Security
      
    
              Homeland Security Enterprise
      
    
              Human Trafficking
      
    
              Immigration and Customs Enforcement
      
    
              Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
      
    
              Resilience
      
    
              Science and Technology
      
    
              Trade and Economic Security
      
    
              Transportation Security
      
    
              News
      
                
  
          News


      
        News
    
    
              All DHS News
      
    
              Apps
      
    
              Blog
      
    
              Comunicados de Prensa
      
    
              Data
      
    
              Events
      
    
              Fact Sheets
      
    
              Featured News
      
    
              Homeland Security LIVE
      
    
              Media Contacts
      
    
              Media Library
      
    
              National Terrorism Advisory System
      
    
              Press Releases
      
    
              Publications Library
      
    
              Social Media
      
    
              Speeches
      
    
              Subscribe
      
    
              Testimony
      
    
              In Focus
      
                
  
          In Focus


      
        In Focus
    
    
              Addressing Climate Change
      
    
              Artificial Intelligence at DHS
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
      
    
              Honoring Veterans
      
    
              Migration and Borders
      
    
              Operation Allies Welcome
      
    
              Recognizing DHS Excellence
      
    
              Uniting for Ukraine
      
    
              How Do I?
      
                
  
          How Do I?


      
        How Do I?
    
    
              Alphabetical Listing
      
    
              At DHS
      
    
              For Businesses
      
    
              For Travelers
      
    
              For the Public
      
    
              Get Involved
      
                
  
          Get Involved


      
        Get Involved
    
    
              #BeCyberSmart
      
    
              Blue Campaign
      
    
              Citizen Corps
      
    
              If You See Something, Say Something®
      
    
              Know2Protect
      
    
              Nationwide SAR Initiative
      
    
              REAL ID
      
    
              Ready.gov
      
    
              Stop the Bleed
      
    
              US Coast Guard Auxiliary
      
    
              About DHS
      
                
  
          About DHS


      
        About DHS
    
    
              Budget & Performance
      
    
              Contact Us
      
    
              Employee Resources
      
    
              History
      
    
              Homeland Security Careers
      
    
              In Memoriam
      
    
              Laws & Regulations
      
    
              Leadership
      
    
              Mission
      
    
              Organization
      
    
              Priorities
      
    
              Site Links Breadcrumb
Home
  About DHS
  History

     Topics
                
      Border Security
                
                    
      
      Citizenship and Immigration
                
                    
      
      Cybersecurity
                
                    
      
      Disasters
                
                    
      
      Election Security
                
                    
      
      Homeland Security Enterprise
                
                    
      
      Human Trafficking
                
                    
      
      Immigration and Customs Enforcement
                
                    
      
      Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
                
                    
      
      Resilience
                
                    
      
      Science and Technology
                
                    
      
      Trade and Economic Security
                
                    
      
      Transportation SecurityNews
                
      All DHS News
                
                    
      
      Apps
                
                    
      
      Blog
                
                    
      
      Comunicados de Prensa
                
                    
      
      Data
                
                    
      
      Events
                
                    
      
      Fact Sheets
                
                    
      
      Featured News
                
                    
      
      Homeland Security LIVE
                
                    
      
      Media Contacts
                
                    
      
      Media Library
                
                    
      
      National Terrorism Advisory System
                
                    
      
      Press Releases
                
                    
      
      Publications Library
                
      Academic Engagement
                
                    
      
      Border Security
                
                    
      
      Citizenship And Immigration Services Ombudsman
                
                    
      
      Citizenship and Immigration Services
                
                    
      
      Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
                
                    
      
      Cybersecurity
                
                    
      
      Disasters
                
                    
      
      Do Business with DHS
                
                    
      
      Election Security
                
                    
      
      Homeland Security Careers
                
                    
      
      Homeland Security Enterprise
                
                    
      
      Human Trafficking
                
                    
      
      Immigration and Customs Enforcement
                
                    
      
      Intelligence and Analysis
                
                    
      
      International Engagement
                
                    
      
      Law Enforcement
                
                    
      
      National Terrorism Advisory System
                
                    
      
      Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
                
                    
      
      Privacy
                
                    
      
      REAL ID
                
                    
      
      Resilience
                
                    
      
      Science and Technology
                
                    
      
      Trade and Economic Security
                
                    
      
      Transportation Security
                
                    
      
      Weapons of Mass DestructionSocial Media
                
                    
      
      Speeches
                
                    
      
      Subscribe
                
                    
      
      TestimonyIn Focus
                
      Addressing Climate Change
                
                    
      
      Artificial Intelligence at DHS
                
                    
      
      Cybersecurity
                
                    
      
      Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
                
                    
      
      Honoring Veterans
                
                    
      
      Migration and Borders
                
                    
      
      Operation Allies Welcome
                
                    
      
      Recognizing DHS Excellence
                
                    
      
      Uniting for UkraineHow Do I?
                
      Alphabetical Listing
                
                    
      
      At DHS
                
                    
      
      For Businesses
                
                    
      
      For Travelers
                
                    
      
      For the PublicGet Involved
                
      #BeCyberSmart
                
                    
      
      Blue Campaign
                
                    
      
      Citizen Corps
                
                    
      
      If You See Something, Say Something®
                
                    
      
      Know2Protect
                
                    
      
      Nationwide SAR Initiative
                
                    
      
      REAL ID
                
                    
      
      Ready.gov
                
                    
      
      Stop the Bleed
                
                    
      
      US Coast Guard AuxiliaryAbout DHS
                
      Budget & Performance
                
                    
      
      Contact Us
                
                    
      
      Employee Resources
                
                    
                    
      History
                
      Creation of DHS
                
                    
      
      DHS Seal
                
                    
      
      History of the NAC
                
                    
      
      Secretaries of Homeland Security
                
                    
      
      Who Joined DHSHomeland Security Careers
                
                    
      
      In Memoriam
                
                    
      
      Laws & Regulations
                
                    
      
      Leadership
                
                    
      
      Mission
                
                    
      
      Organization
                
                    
      
      Priorities
                
                    
      
      Site LinksHistory
The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002, combining 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified, integrated Cabinet agency.
      
      Creation of the Department of Homeland SecurityImage
              Homeland Security flag
                                                      A summary of historical laws and regulations constructing and modifying the existing Department of Homeland Security.
                                                        Creation
                                                                          
                      Department of Homeland Security SealImage
              Department of Homeland Security Seal
                                                      DHS seal was created in 2003 to symbolize the Department's mission of preventing attacks and protecting Americans on land, sea and air.
                                                        Seal
                                                                          
                      Homeland Security Advisory SystemImage
              Homeland Security Advisory System
                                                      Chronology of Homeland Security Advisory System from implementation until replaced by National Terrorism Advisory System.
                                                        Homeland Security Advisory System
                                                                          
                      Secretaries of Homeland SecurityImage
              Secretaries of Homeland Security
                                                      The former Secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security.
                                                        DHS Secretaries
                                                                          
                      Who Joined DHSImage
              Who Joined DHS
                                                      DHS was created through the integration of all or part of 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified Department.
                                                        Who Joined DHS
                                                                          
                      History of the NACImage
              Nebraska Avenue Complex sign
                                                      Learn the history of the Nebraska Avenue Complex (NAC) through its origins as a girls seminary to a code breaking facility during World War II and its current incarnation as the home of the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
                                                        History of the NAC

    Last Updated: 04/26/2022
  
Was this page helpful?
  Yes
NoThis page was not helpful because the content
  has too little information
has too much information
is confusing
is out-of-date Return to top

           Topics
      
    
                  News
      
    
                  In Focus
      
    
                  How Do I?
      
    
                  Get Involved
      
    
                  About DHS
                            
        U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal
      
    DHS.gov
                  An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityAbout DHS
                              Accessibility
                              Budget and Performance
                              DHS Components
                              FOIA Requests
                              No FEAR Act Data
                              Privacy Policy
                              Site Links
                              Office of Inspector General
                              The White House
                              USA.gov

                        Looking for U.S. government information and services?
                Visit USA.gov