GPO Celebrates 160th Anniversary

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) celebrated its 160th anniversary yesterday. The agency opened its doors on March 4, 1861, the same day President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated, with about 350 printers and bookbinders. Those 19^th-century team members delivered Government information with horse and carriage. The 21st century team continues that mission today by providing the workings of our democracy on mobile devices through govinfo.gov. 

“Congratulations to the entire GPO team, past and present, for achieving this 160-year milestone of serving the Nation,” said GPO Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern. “GPO’s mission of Keeping America Informed has been constant through wars, economic busts and booms, national tragedies and celebrations, and yes, even through today’s global pandemic. GPO’s willingness to adapt the latest technologies of the last 160 years is one of the reasons for its relevance today.  But the single most important factor in GPO’s resilience has been its people.”

GPO is celebrating the milestone with a 160th birthday campaign that highlights agency history, GPO retirees, and several GPO families, some of whom have served the agency for multiple generations. GPO will share the stories of the people who helped GPO reach this milestone, their memories of the agency, and historic moments on gpo.gov and its social media channels.