The National Security Act took effect on which date?

The National Security Act took effect on which date?

• A. 18 September 1947
• B. 26 August 1947
• C. 26 July 1947
• D. 4 July 1947

Answer: (C)

The key idea is the difference between when a law is signed and when it becomes enforceable. The National Security Act was signed into law on July 26, 1947, but it did not take effect immediately. It specified an effective date of September 18, 1947, which is when the new national security framework—like the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, and the CIA—began to operate under the act. So the date the act took effect is September 18, 1947. The other dates reflect the signing date or other milestones, not when the law started to apply.

The key idea is the difference between when a law is signed and when it becomes enforceable. The National Security Act was signed into law on July 26, 1947, but it did not take effect immediately. It specified an effective date of September 18, 1947, which is when the new national security framework—like the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, and the CIA—began to operate under the act. So the date the act took effect is September 18, 1947. The other dates reflect the signing date or other milestones, not when the law started to apply.