History And ... — Secrets Of The Secret Service: The

: By the end of the Civil War, nearly one-third to one-half of all U.S. currency in circulation was counterfeit.

: After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress informally requested the Secret Service take over presidential security. Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and ...

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is often visualized as a phalanx of stone-faced agents in dark suits and earpieces, the final line of defense for the Commander in Chief. Yet, behind this modern image lies a complex legacy that began not with a bullet, but with a bogus bill. Today, the agency stands at a critical juncture, balancing a storied past against an increasingly scrutinized future. The Original Mission: Fighting Fraud, Not Fire : By the end of the Civil War,