This short history was written by Judson MacLaury, Departmental Historian, in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Department in 1988.
- Chapter 1: Start-up of the Department and World War I, 1913-1921
- Chapter 2: The 1920s and the Start of the Depression, 1921-1933
- Chapter 3: The Department in the New Deal and World War II, 1933-1945
- Chapter 4: Post-war Era and Korean War Mobilization, 1945-1953
- Chapter 5: Eisenhower Administration, 1953-1961
- Chapter 6: Eras of the New Frontier and the Great Society, 1961-1969
- Chapter 7: Nixon and Ford Administrations, 1969-1977
- Chapter 8: Carter Administration, 1977-1981
- Chapter 9: Reagan Administration, 1981-1988