Freedom of Information Act of 1966

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 is a piece of landmark legislation regarding the ability to obtain information from government agencies that previously was not accessible to the public. This act became law in 1966 over the objections of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The law has been amended several times and is still a powerful tool for Americans who are doing research for both personal and public interests.

Prior to the passage of this legislation in 1966, the public had very limited access to federal government information; over time ...