1921 — 2021

Celebrating a Century

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, publisher, and educational institution dedicated to informing the public about the foreign policy choices facing the United States and the world. Explore this site and discover the institution’s origins and influence in foreign policy over the last 100 years. For current resources and analysis, visit CFR.org.

The Council on Foreign Relations at 100: The History

1921

2021

This Day in History:

Discover world events that occurred each day between 1921 and 2021

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100 Years of Speakers

1962

1934

Timeline:
1921–2021

1997

A Changing Membership

Reaching Out

CFR has increased its reach beyond its members as part of its mission to help create an informed citizenry.

Growing the
Talent Pipeline

Explore CFR’s programs to foster the next generation of talent in the field of foreign policy and international relations.

From the
Think Tank

Revisit some of CFR’s most significant contributions to the field over the last century.

Foreign Affairs: From the Archives

Highlights from the magazine dating back to 1922—from Kennan and Kissinger to Huntington and Fukuyama.

Award-Winning Multimedia

Review CFR’s digital content that continues to inform the public with innovative approaches to challenging issues.

The Council on Foreign Relations: A Short History

Peer into a history of members, leaders, programs, and impact from CFR’s 1921 founding to its entrance into a new century.