The Federal Reserve Act Becomes Law
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act on December 23, 1913.
Published · Updated · 1 min read
The Event
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act on December 23, 1913. The law established a new central-banking framework for the United States.
The Wider Story
Debate over financial panics and banking reform shaped the legislation. The system combined national coordination with regional institutions.
Putting the Event in Perspective
Signing did not mean every Reserve Bank opened that day.
Reading the Historical Record
Operations began later, and the system's present responsibilities developed through subsequent laws and decisions.
About the Historical Recreation
The accompanying visual is an illustrative reconstruction: a 1913 Washington office with unreadable financial legislation and distant officials. It is not authentic archival footage, an eyewitness record or additional evidence for the event.
Sources
Found an error? Send a correction. Read our editorial standards.