50 Years of Federal Times
-
5 shifts that transformed federal service
Many events have shaped the way government operates, but few create tectonic shifts that dramatically alter the federal workforce.
-
7 times technology transformed government
From ARPANET to the OPM hack, we look at the most influential IT advancements and events in government over the last 50 years.
-
Women in government: A slow but steady progression up
Five decades ago, most women working in the federal government were secretaries, and not of the presidential-cabinet variety.
-
From sci-fi to real life: Government’s changing role in tech innovation
We asked sci-fi writers who they credited for transforming their creativity into reality.
-
’An ex-OMB wonk’ looks back at federal office life in the ‘60s
From ambiance to quality of life and technology, here’s a personal reminiscence from someone who came into the federal service as a newly minted college grad in 1961.
More Videos
More Stories
-
5 policies that shaped the Pentagon
There are policies that shaped and reshaped how the mega institution we know as the Pentagon operates. Here are our picks for the most influential of the last 50 years.
-
How GSA will transform federal buying
What’s worked for decades doesn’t meet today’s requirements. Administrator Denise Turner Roth explains how GSA is adapting.
-
The digital government (r)evolution
Federal CIO Tony Scott offers his take on what’s underway: a significant and profound period of change in the way we govern and manage our civil society.
-
How OPM will build a federal workforce of the future
An aging workforce can pose a challenge. Acting OPM Director Beth Cobert explains how it also provides a great opportunity.
-
Op-ed from President Barack Obama: Government’s one constant amid change
The commander-in-chief credits the federal workforce for enabling transformation, and ensuring change is progressive rather than debilitating.
-
Manning/Snowden leaks: The threat from within emerges
Manning and Snowden forced federal managers to rethink access management and the trust they put in their employees.
-
Hurricane Katrina: Cross-government collaboration prioritized
A massive storm revealed weaknesses in communication across federal, state and local governments.
-
9/11 terrorist attacks: Information sharing fast-tracked
The 2001 attack led to massive government reorganization, contractor distrust, and transition to a ‘need to share’ intel strategy.
-
Government shutdowns of 1990s: Partisan politics reaches dysfunctional heights
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history made shutdown threats a common feature of budget negotiations.
-
Oklahoma City bombing: Barriers to government hardened
A domestic terror attack moved the government to tighten rules on building access.
-
The End of the Cold War: Military reshaped, redefined
The fall of the Berlin Wall – and subsequently the Soviet Union – ushered in a new era of military, defense and intelligence operations.
-
Invention of World Wide Web: Digital revolution kicks off
The spread of the Internet radically changed what the public expected of its government.
-
Watergate scandal: Public distrust of government begins
President Richard Nixon’s involvement in a political espionage scandal changed the way Americans viewed the government.
-
50 years of change
To honor Federal Times’ 50 year heritage, we showcase through compelling reporting and film the historic moments that most transformed government.
-
Moon landing: US cements its S&T domination
Neil Armstrong’s small step ushered in an era of government as innovation leader.
-
Vietnam War: Dawning of government transparency
For the first time, Americans were seeing war’s horrors from their living rooms, bringing skepticism and a demand for answers.
-
3 big things that shaped government during my tenure as editor
How 9/11, polarized politics and the emergence of the Internet changed government.
-
GSAs Tom Sharpe on the evolution of federal acquisition
The commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service reflected on the evolving expectations of agencies.
-
Media and the feds: 50 years of civility, 50 years of contention
From Kennedy to Vietnam, Watergate to Snowden, the role that media plays in how government operates continues to transform.
-
The incredible shrinking workplace
Federal ‘smart sizing’ has been underway for decades in varying degrees. We are left, once again, to adapt to change.