national

A history of the NSA

Resize Text

Print Article

Comments

1 of 24

Full Screen

Autoplay

Close

Skip Ad

×

Caption

The National Security Agency, which is embroiled in controversy over its digital surveillance operations, has a long and storied history. It recently celebrated its 60th anniversary by releasing archive photos.

The National Security Agency was established Nov. 4, 1952. But its lineage dates to World War I, when the Army began gathering information from foreign radio messages. During World War II, cryptologists used electromechanical devices, known as a bombe, to break German encryption in the 1940s. National Security Agency

Buy Photo

Wait 1 second to continue.

Investigations: The PRISM program

U.S. has access to the servers of nine Internet companies as part of top-secret effort.

See the stunning images in the 4th annual International Drone Photography Contest

Professional photographers and amateur drone-photo enthusiasts around the world submitted images to Dronestagram and National Geographic’s 2017 competition. Here are the winning photographs.

What the Obamas have been doing since they left the White House

Take a look at the family as they begin their post-presidency lives.

Show Comments

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.