History of Secretary of state in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 12, 2025

The title "secretary of state" (or "state's secretary") is a common designation for governmental posts worldwide, typically at senior or mid-level positions. The specific responsibilities and significance of the role can differ substantially from one country to another. Some countries may also have multiple secretaries of state within their governmental structure, each with potentially different areas of focus or authority.

1902: End of the Orange Free State Secretary of State Title

In 1902, the title of State Secretary in the Orange Free State was replaced by Government Secretary, marking the end of its use after the formation of the state apparatus.

1910: Ministers title replaced the title Secretary of State

In 1910, the title of "minister" completely replaced that of "secretary of State" in Portugal after the end of the Monarchy.

1918: Secretaries of State replaced Ministers

In 1918, during the brief presidential system in Portugal, ministers were re-titled "secretaries of State".

1944: State Secretary went into exile

In 1944, before the Soviet re-occupation, the State Secretary of Estonia went into exile.

1958: Reintroduction of Secretary of State title

In 1958, the title of "secretary of State" was reintroduced to designate the then created role of a junior minister, subordinate to a cabinet minister in Portugal.

1959: State Secretary position established in Brunei

In 1959, the State Secretary position was established in Brunei to support the Menteri Besar in overseeing administrative functions, as outlined in the 1959 Constitution.

1972: Abolishment of Secretary of State in Liberia

In 1972, Liberia abolished the title of Secretary of State, replacing it with Minister of Foreign Affairs, thus changing the nomenclature of the chief foreign policy officer.

1984: Luxembourg had three Secretaries of State

Between 1984 and 1989, Luxembourg had three Secretaries of State, who are members of the cabinet ranked below ministers assisting with specific briefs.

1987: Secretariat of State for the Culture in Portugal

From 1987 to 1995, Portugal had a Secretariat of State for the Culture directly subordinate to the Prime Minister.

1989: Luxembourg had three Secretaries of State

Between 1984 and 1989, Luxembourg had three Secretaries of State, who are members of the cabinet ranked below ministers assisting with specific briefs.

1991: Revival of the post of State Secretary by Boris Yeltsin

In 1991, Boris Yeltsin revived the post of State Secretary in Russia.

1992: State Secretary came back to Estonia

In 1992, the position of State Secretary came back to Estonia after being in exile since 1944.

1993: Abolishment of Secretary of State for External Affairs in Canada

In 1993, Canada abolished the position of Secretary of State for External Affairs and Secretary of State for Canada. A new position of Minister of Foreign Affairs was created.

1995: Secretariat of State for the Culture in Portugal

From 1987 to 1995, Portugal had a Secretariat of State for the Culture directly subordinate to the Prime Minister.

1998: Introduction of Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media

In 1998, Gerhard Schröder introduced the office of Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media at the formal rank of a Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär, known as Kulturstaatsminister.

1998: Ludger Volmer as a parliamentary minister of state in the German Foreign Office

In 1998, Ludger Volmer was a parliamentary minister of state in the German Foreign Office.

2001: Michael Naumann Held the Kulturstaatsminister

In 2001, Michael Naumann was the Kulturstaatsminister.

2002: Julian Nida-Rümelin and Christina Weiss Held the Kulturstaatsminister

In 2002, Julian Nida-Rümelin and Christina Weiss were the Kulturstaatsminister.

2002: Ludger Volmer as a parliamentary minister of state in the German Foreign Office

In 2002, Ludger Volmer was a parliamentary minister of state in the German Foreign Office.

2004: Reorganization of Portuguese Public Administration structure

In 2004, the Portuguese Public Administration structure was reorganized, and it was common for a secretary of State to be in charge of a secretariat of State.

2005: Bernd Neumann Held the Kulturstaatsminister

In 2005, Bernd Neumann was the Kulturstaatsminister.

2005: Ludger Volmer critique of the Staatsminister office

In 2005, Ludger Volmer, when interviewed about his post as a parliamentary minister of state in the German Foreign Office (1998–2002) during an investigation into visa abuse, claimed that he had been cut off from the workflow within the ministry, and called the Staatsminister office an "Unding" (absurdity).