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2024-03-29 08:20:21

Brookings Institution

American think tank conducting research in social sciences.
American think tank conducting research in social sciences.

Brookings Institution focuses on economics, governance, foreign policy, and global economy. It has research programs and international centers worldwide. It is recognized as a top think tank globally and is known for its nonpartisan stance.

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1916-03-13
Founding of Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution was founded in 1916 as the Institute for Government Research with the goal of analyzing public policy issues at the national level. It later merged with other organizations to form the Brookings Institution in 1927.

1919
Establishment of Brookings Institution

Brookings Institution was established in 1919 as the Institute for Government Research. It conducts research and education in various social sciences.

1921
Creation of U.S. Bureau of the Budget

In 1921, the Brookings Institution played a crucial role in the crafting of legislation that led to the establishment of the first U.S. Bureau of the Budget. This laid the foundation for modern budgeting and financial management in the United States.

1927-12-08
Merger of Three Organizations into Brookings Institution

The three organizations founded by philanthropist Robert S. Brookings, including the Institute for Government Research, the Institute of Economics, and the Robert Brookings Graduate School, were merged to form the Brookings Institution in 1927.

1928
League of Nations adopts Brookings' standardization plan

The League of Nations adopts Brookings' standardization plan for reporting international trade and financial statements.

1934
Publication of 'Capacity Studies' by the Institution

In 1934, the Institution published four influential works known as the 'capacity studies' which focused on income distribution and economic progress. These studies provided valuable insights into production and consumption capacity, capital, market speculation in the 1920s, and income distribution's impact on the U.S. economic system.

1935-08-14
Passing of the Social Security Act

On August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act was passed, influenced by the research and recommendations of Brookings experts Lewis Meriam and Wilbur J. Cohen. This act marked a significant milestone in the establishment of social welfare programs in the United States.

1941
Brookings Research during World War II

During World War II, Brookings researchers focused on aiding the administration with studies on mobilization to support the war effort.

1944
Brookings Institution Study on Post-War National Income

The Brookings Institution publishes a study by Joseph Mayer focusing on the probable magnitude of post-war national income.

1946
Leo Pasvolsky Becomes First Director of International Studies Group at Brookings

Economist Leo Pasvolsky assumes the role of the first director of the International Studies Group at Brookings, laying the foundation for the institution's future Foreign Policy program.

1947
Brookings Study on Compulsory Health Insurance

Brookings scholars conduct a study on compulsory health insurance, suggesting that a national health insurance program may be too politically and economically challenging. Alternative proposals include grants-in-aid to states and a national compulsory health insurance program.

1948-01-22
Brookings scholars' role in the European Recovery Program

In 1948, at the request of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, scholars from Brookings Institution played a crucial part in shaping the European Recovery Program, also known as the Marshall Plan. They offered valuable suggestions on the program's administrative structure.

1949
Publication of 'National Transportation Policy'

In 1949, Brookings scholars Charles Dearing and Wilfred Owen published the 'National Transportation Policy,' which suggested the establishment of a new department of transportation led by a cabinet secretary.

1950
Industrial Pensions Study by Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution publishes Industrial Pensions study by Charles L. Dearing in 1950, reflecting costs, funding arrangements, and benefit features of 412 companies employing 4,000,000 workers.

1952
Presidency of Robert Calkins

Robert Calkins became president of the Brookings Institution in 1952, securing financial stability through grants and reorganizing the institution into economic studies, government studies, and foreign policy programs. His leadership expanded the institution's reach.

1953
Initiation of studies on the United Nations by Leo Pasvolsky at Brookings

Leo Pasvolsky at Brookings starts a series of studies on the United Nations, analyzing its system features to enhance public understanding, with the studies being published posthumously.

1957
Launch of Executive Education Program

In 1957, Brookings initiated an executive education program for federal employees to enhance government productivity. This program evolved into Brookings Executive Education, offering courses on key issues, policymaking, and public leadership.

1958
Establishment of Brookings Institution Press

In 1958, Brookings Institution Press expanded from disseminating institutional research to becoming a scholarly press with peer-reviewed publications. It also became a member of the Association of American University Presses.

1959-06-15
Brookings Study on Legal Debt Limit featured in The Washington Post

On June 15, 1959, The Washington Post reported on a Brookings study that found the legal debt limit to be futile. This study likely added to the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding fiscal policies and the national debt ceiling.

1960
Expansion of Brookings Institute with Foreign Policy Research Program

In 1960, the Brookings Institute expanded by adding a foreign policy research program, further solidifying its influence and role in shaping global policies.

1961
Brookings Scholars' Advisory Role in Presidential Transition

In 1961, Brookings scholars Laurin Henry and George Graham played a significant role in the transition between the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations by authoring an influential text on presidential handovers and leading an advisory group to prepare confidential memos for the incoming president. Their efforts aimed to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transfer of power.

1962
Publication of The Quiet Crisis in India

Brookings scholar John Lewis publishes The Quiet Crisis in India, focusing on India's rural development and advocating for aid to India and other developing nations as part of U.S. foreign policy.

1963
Brookings Institution Conference on Quantitative Planning of Economic Policy

The Brookings Institution in Washington organizes a conference focusing on the quantitative planning of economic policy. Dutch and French representatives present their models during the event.

1965-04-07
Death of Isabel Vallé Brookings

Isabel Vallé Brookings, the wife of Robert S. Brookings, passes away at the age of 89, leaving an $8 million bequest to the Brookings Institution.

1966-06-22
Brookings Institution's 50th Anniversary Address by President LBJ

During an address commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brookings Institution, President Lyndon B. Johnson emphasized the institution's national importance, stating that it is crucial for the Executive Branch, Congress, and the country as a whole. He expressed that the absence of Brookings would necessitate its creation.

1966-09-29
President Lyndon B. Johnson Addresses Brookings Anniversary

On September 29, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered an address at Brookings's fiftieth anniversary, emphasizing the importance of public service and America's cities.

1967
Kermit Gordon becomes President of Brookings

Kermit Gordon, former director of the United States Bureau of the Budget, assumes the role of the third president of Brookings Institution.

1968
Publication of Agenda for the Nation volumes

Brookings publishes the first in a series of Agenda for the Nation volumes, comprising papers on various domestic and foreign policy issues.

1969
Formation of Defense Analysis Project

In 1969, Brookings Institution initiated the Defense Analysis Project to analyze various defense-related issues such as defense support costs and the military structures of the U.S., NATO, and the Soviet Union.

1970
Publication of Brookings Papers on Economic Activity

In 1970, the first edition of the influential economic journal Brookings Papers on Economic Activity was published, showcasing the Institution's significant impact on economic discourse.

1971
Brookings initiates studies on federal budget leading to creation of Congressional Budget Office

In 1971, Brookings Institution starts a series of studies focusing on the federal budget and congressional spending decisions, eventually advocating for the establishment of the Congressional Budget Office. Alice Rivlin, a Brookings scholar, assumes the role of its first director in 1975.

1972
Establishment of the United Nations University

The United Nations University is founded as a global institution for research and education to address pressing global issues. It is considered a major competitor to the Brookings Institution.

1973
Brookings Institution Conference on Head Start Program

The Brookings Institution organizes a conference to discuss the variations in the Head Start program and proposes a plan for further development through variation studies.

1974
Decline in After-Tax Profit Rate for US Corporations

The Brookings Institution reports a decrease in the after-tax profit rate for US corporations from just under eight percent in 1948 to just under five percent in 1974.

1975
Formation of Congressional Budget Office with Brookings Scholar Alice Rivlin

In 1975, Brookings' work led to the establishment of the Congressional Budget Office, with scholar Alice Rivlin becoming its founding director, highlighting the Institution's expertise in economic policy.

1976
Brookings publishes Asia's New Giant

The Brookings Institution releases Asia's New Giant, a comprehensive analysis conducted by a group of American and Japanese social scientists. The publication aims to elucidate Japan's remarkable economic growth over the preceding twenty-five years.

1977
Time Magazine's Description of Brookings

In 1977, Time magazine referred to Brookings as the 'nation's pre-eminent liberal think tank', showcasing its influence and reputation in the political sphere.

1978-07-01
Brookings publishes Arms across the sea

On July 1, the Brookings Institution releases Arms across the sea, a publication authored by Philip J Farley, Stephen S. Kaplan, and William H. Lewis. The book delves into the military capabilities of the Soviet Union, providing insights into their military power.

1979
The Irony of Vietnam

In 1979, Brookings scholars Leslie Gelb and Richard Betts published 'The Irony of Vietnam,' which concluded that while America's involvement in Vietnam was a failure, the decision-making system functioned as intended. Historian Gaddis Smith praised the book as essential for understanding the American role in Vietnam.

1980
Study on United States role in Vietnam

Leslie H. Gelb and Richard Betts at Brookings concluded in a study that the U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a failure, but the decision-making system functioned as intended.

1981
Establishment of Peterson Institute for International Economics

The Peterson Institute for International Economics was founded, becoming a significant competitor to Brookings.

1982
Publication of Urban Decline and the Future of American Cities

Brookings Institution released a book addressing urban decline and the future of American cities.

1984
Publication of Free Trade between Mexico and the United States?

Sidney Weintraub at Brookings published a work analyzing the issues in the restricted bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States, advocating for a bilateral trade agreement.

1985
Release of The New Urban Reality

Brookings released Paul Peterson's The New Urban Reality, which argued against further investments in the central city due to technological and racial factors.

1987
Formation of Center for Economic Progress and Employment

The Brookings Institution established the Center for Economic Progress and Employment, focusing on productivity growth, poverty, and related economic issues.

1989
Economic Stabilization Program for Peru

The Brookings Institution and the Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo (GRADE) launch a project in 1989 to design a program aimed at stabilizing the economy of Peru and implementing structural adjustments for a robust recovery.

1990
Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990

At the suggestion of Senator Joseph Biden, the Brookings Institution convenes a task force to study delay and cost in federal civil litigation. The task force recommends case-management strategies to streamline the process and tackle discovery abuse, which Biden incorporates into the legislation introduced as the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990.

1992-12-21
Activation of brook.edu Domain

On December 21, 1992, the brook.edu domain record is activated, marking a milestone in the online management of the Brookings Institution.

1994
Publication of The Great Transition: American-Soviet Relations and the End of the Cold War

Brookings Senior Fellow Raymond L. Garthoff's book challenges the notion that the US won the Cold War through military strength, arguing that the Soviet system's internal failures led to its collapse.

1995
Michael Armacost becomes president of Brookings Institution

In 1995, Michael Armacost assumed the role of the sixth president of the Brookings Institution. He initiated efforts to redefine the institution's mission for the 21st century, leading to the establishment of various interdisciplinary research centers.

1996
Introduction of Computational Social Science

In 1996, Brookings scholars Joshua M. Epstein and Robert L. Axtell introduced a new approach to studying complex social systems through computer-based models. Their work involved simulating human social interactions to gain insights into the emergence and evolution of social phenomena.

1997
Brookings Institution Survey Results

In a 1997 survey, Brookings was ranked as the most influential and credible think tank among 27 considered, with a focus on academic expertise rather than ideological influence.

1998
Publication of Masses in Flight

In 1998, Francis Deng and Roberta Cohen at Brookings published Masses in Flight: The Global Crisis of Internal Displacement, a significant analysis of the causes and effects of internal displacement, praised as a landmark study by diplomat Richard Holbrooke.

1999
Brookings Survey on U.S.' Most Important Accomplishments

In 1999, Brookings conducted a survey among 1,000 college professors in the United States to identify the most significant accomplishments of the country in the past century, ranking the Marshall Plan as the top public policy achievement.

2000
Collaboration with Other Think Tanks

In 2000, The Brookings Institution collaborated with the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution to organize forums with journalists and presidential candidates' associates, exploring governance based on candidates' backgrounds and leadership styles.

2001-09-04
Brookings’s TV and radio studio opens

One week before the September 11 attacks, Brookings’s TV and radio studio opens for business, with the first live television feed occurring on the afternoon of 9/11 with CNN.

2001-09-11
Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001

Brookings' scholars focused on issues relating to continuity of government, the global war on terror, and broader foreign policy in the months and years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

2001-10-25
Protecting the American Homeland publication

After the September 11 attacks, Brookings experts produce influential proposals for homeland security and intelligence operations, leading to the publication of 'Protecting the American Homeland' on October 25.

2002-01-09
Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center founded

The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center is founded on January 9, 2002, as a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington D.C., aiming to provide independent analyses of tax issues.

2003
Shift in Firm's Value Composition

In 2003, the Brookings Institution found that the composition of an average firm's value shifted, with 80 percent attributed to intangible assets and only 20 percent related to tangible assets.

2004-07-06
Renaming of the Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy

The Brookings Institution announced the renaming of the Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, established in 1966, to the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

2005
Brookings Political Stance Study

A 2005 UCLA study labeled Brookings as 'centrist' due to its equal recognition by both conservative and liberal politicians, emphasizing its independent and nonpartisan nature.

2006-11-16
Isabel Sawhill speaking at Brookings event on Welfare Reform

On November 16, 2006, Isabel Sawhill delivered a speech at a Brookings event focusing on welfare reform. Her insights and perspectives likely contributed to the ongoing discussions and policy considerations regarding welfare programs and social assistance.

2008-09-12
Lael Brainard speaks on reforming India’s financial system

Lael Brainard delivered a speech at a Brookings event discussing the reform of India's financial system on September 12th, 2008.

2009-12-08
President Barack Obama discusses economics and jobs at Brookings Institution

President Barack Obama visits the Brookings Institution in Washington to discuss economics and job creation. The event focuses on his plan for creating jobs and spurring economic growth, with experts from Brookings contributing to the debate on recovering from the Great Recession.

2010
Confronting Poverty: Weak States and U.S. National Security

Former US Ambassador Susan Rice collaborates with Brookings on the book Confronting Poverty, emphasizing how poverty in fragile states can impact US national security.

2011
Enactment of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011

The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 was passed, incorporating significant suggestions from the Brookings report 'A Half-Empty Government Can’t Govern' authored by E.J. Dionne, Jr. and William Galston. This act aimed to streamline the appointment process and improve government efficiency.

2013
Brookings Ranked First in University of Pennsylvania Think Tank Survey

The University of Pennsylvania's 2013 think tank survey recognizes Brookings as the top-ranked institution globally, acknowledging its significant contributions to research and policy development.

2014
Funding Controversies

In 2014, The New York Times revealed that Brookings Institution had received payments from foreign governments while advocating for policies aligned with those governments' interests. Notably, Norway and Qatar were among the significant foreign donors to Brookings, raising concerns about potential influence on the institution's research and activities.

2015
Brookings Collaboration with Let Girls Learn Initiative

In 2015, the Brookings' Center for Universal Education partners with Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn initiative, dedicated to empowering adolescent girls through quality education to help them achieve their full potential.

2016
Brookings Institution 100th Anniversary

In 2016, the Brookings Institution celebrated its 100th year as a leader in policy research at local, national, and global levels, marking a century of impactful contributions.

2017-10-04
John R. Allen named next Brookings Institution president

John R. Allen was appointed as the president of the Brookings Institution on October 4, 2017.

2019-06-30
Brookings Institution Endowment Reaches $377.2 Million

As of June 30, 2019, the Brookings Institution had an endowment of $377.2 million, showcasing its financial stability and long-term commitment to research and education.

2019-09-06
A CENTURY OF IDEAS

The event titled 'A CENTURY OF IDEAS' was retrieved from brookings.edu on September 6, 2019.

2019-10-02
Brookings India

Brookings India was referenced in an article retrieved on October 2, 2019.

2019-11-06
Brookings Institution Launches Metropolitan Policy Program

The Brookings Institution launched the Metropolitan Policy Program on November 6, 2019.

2020-01-17
2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report

The 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report was accessed on January 17, 2020.

2020-01-23
Brookings Institution on Google Trends

The Brookings Institution's presence on Google Trends was noted on January 23, 2020.

2021-01-31
Brookings Institution on Google Books

References to the Brookings Institution on Google Books were accessed on January 31, 2021.

2022-06-12
Resignation of John R. Allen as president of Brookings Institution

On June 12, 2022, John R. Allen resigned as the president of the Brookings Institution amidst an FBI foreign lobbying investigation, leading to a significant change in leadership.

2023-04-27
Brookings Institution as Birthplace of Ideological Revolution

The Brookings Institution, a renowned Washington think tank known for its Democratic establishment thinking, was on the brink of a major reshaping on April 27, 2023. This event symbolized a turning point in the institution's history and signified the beginning of a quiet revolution in political thought.

2024-04-02
Brookings Institution Mission

The Brookings Institution, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., aims to conduct nonpartisan research to enhance policy and governance on local, national, and global scales.

2024-04-05
Brookings Institution Mission

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts in-depth, nonpartisan research to improve policy and governance at various levels.

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Brookings Institution

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Brookings Institution

American think tank conducting research in social sciences.
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