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NOAA 50th Home
In 2020, NOAA celebrates 50 years of science, service, and stewardship. One of NOAA's greatest assets is its people. Their dedication shaped the agency into what it is today, and it will undoubtedly propel us through the next 50 years of innovation and discovery. Listen to a few NOAA colleagues describe why they're passionate about NOAA's mission and their vision for the next 50 years.
Video: A message from our partners
NOAA's success over the past 50 years could not have been achieved without the collaboration and support of our partners.
Celebrating a half century of service!
Help honor our colleagues still working at NOAA who have spent 50 years or more in federal service.
Read their advice to new staff
Video: 50 years of science, service, and stewardship
Dr. Johnson at his desk in the Southeast River Forecast Center in Georgia, October 1979.
50th Anniversary Oral History Collection
Listen to interviews with NOAA employees who made a mark on the agency.
From: NOAA Acting Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs
This year, NOAA marks 50 years of science, service, and stewardship. Our agency was born out of an idea that the ocean and atmosphere are inextricably linked and that we depend upon it — not only for the quality of our lives, but for life itself. Since then, NOAA has grown to become a world-class science agency with a reach that extends from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor.
NOAA's achievements are possible because of its dedicated workforce, who will undoubtedly propel us through the next 50 years of innovation and discovery. We invite you to join us on these pages, updated throughout 2020, as we recognize our employees and our partners with stories and features that celebrate NOAA's Golden Anniversary.
For NOAA Employees: 50th resourcesoffsite link
Visit us: Gateway to NOAA
NOAA's history
Fisheries historical highlights
History of Coast Survey
NOAA Corps history
NOAA Oral History 50th Anniversary Series
Listen to an interview with legendary hurricane hunter James "Doc" McFadden, who passed away this week. Doc was a dedicated public servant with 57 years of service and was instrumental in designing and improving NOAA's aerial research programs.
A look back with Dr. James McFadden
Special 50th Anniversary digital edition
A full color flipbook highlighting NOAA's 50 years of science, service, and stewardship is now available. (Faircount Media Group)
View the flipbook