Foreign Relations Series

Foreign Relations Series

The Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) is a book series published by the Office of The Historian in the United States Department of State. Begun during the administration of United States President Abraham Lincoln, the series constitute the official published collection of diplomatic papers of the United States in an ongoing process to the present day. They offer a historical record of major foreign policy decisions, as well as periods of key diplomatic activity. Coverage generally lags about 30 years after the events covered, and the various official sources are carefully reviewed and as necessary material that is judged still too sensitive for release is excluded. Currently volumes on the Richard Nixon administration are being researched, annotated, and prepared for publication. With this Presidency electronic only supplements (dubbed E-1, E-2, etc.) are being posted on the State Dept. website.

Prior to 1970, the series was published under various names. From 1870 to 1947, the uniform title Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States was used. From 1947 to 1969, the name was changed to Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers. After that date, the current name was adopted.

It has had numerous subseries, appendices, microfiche supplements, etc. over the years as warranted. Indexes were issued covering the years 1861-1899 and 1900-1918.