Special Multimedia Report: 50th Anniversary | Federal Times

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.

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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.

By Amber Corrin

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.

By Jill Aitoro

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.

By Tony Scott

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.

By Jill Aitoro

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.

By President Barack Obama

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.

By Aaron Boyd

Hurricane Katrina: Cross-government collaboration prioritized

A massive storm revealed weaknesses in communication across federal, state and local governments.

By Carten Cordell

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.

By Jill Aitoro

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.

By Carten Cordell

Oklahoma City bombing: Barriers to government hardened

A domestic terror attack moved the government to tighten rules on building access.

By Aaron Boyd

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.

By Amber Corrin

Invention of World Wide Web: Digital revolution kicks off

The spread of the Internet radically changed what the public expected of its government.

By Aaron Boyd

Watergate scandal: Public distrust of government begins

President Richard Nixon's involvement in a political espionage scandal changed the way Americans viewed the government.

By Michael Hardy

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.

By Jill Aitoro

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