October 24, 1900: Nasif Meshaka reports that exports to the United States from Damascus and surrounding areas are valued at US$172,071.66. Principal exports are "oriental sundries" (copper, and brass work, textiles, and inlaid furniture), wool, rugs, "provisions" (raisins and dried apricots), and sausage casings. Ten years earlier, Syrian exports were valued at $6,935.45.
May 11, 1908: the Consular Agency at Aleppo is upgraded to a Consulate. Consul Jesse B. Jackson serves there (except during World War I) until 1923. After the United States enters World War I, Turkey severs diplomatic relations and U.S. consular posts in Syria are closed.
February 1919: the U.S. War Trade Board authorizes the resumption of trade with the former Turkish Empire, and shortly thereafter, consulates are established in Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut.
December, 1941: Syria proclaims its independence. In December of that year, a U.S. Legation and Consular Office are established in Damascus.
October 9, 1942: George Wadsworth becomes the first U.S. diplomat accredited to Syria. He holds the rank of diplomatic agent and consul general. He is also accredited to Lebanon and resides in Beirut.
September 7, 1944: the United States recognized the independence of Syria and Lebanon. George Wadsworth is appointed Minister to both countries on September 21.
On February 4, 1945: the governments of Syria and Lebanon ask the U.N. Security Council to recommend the immediate withdrawal of British and French troops from their countries. U.S. Representative Edward R. Stettinius Jr. introduces a draft resolution to that effect on February 15. Despite a Soviet veto, the French and British representatives agreed to accept the U.S. draft resolution, and the withdrawal takes place on April 17.
On March 19, 1945: Nazem al-Koudsi presents his credentials as Syria's first Minister to the United States. On April 25 of that year, Prime Minister Faris al-Khouri leads the Syrian delegation to the United Nations Conference in San Francisco, making him the first high-level Syrian official to visit the United States.
October 8, 1947: James Hugh Keeley Jr. is appointed as the first U.S. Minister accredited exclusively to Syria.
December 1942: Syrian Military Band playing The Star-Spangled Banner in honor of American envoy George Wadsworth. To the right of M. Wadsworth is Mr. Faiz Bey el-Khoury the Syrian Foreign Minister. Between the two groups, is Col. Frank Derouin saluting (courtesy www.mideastimage.com).
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19th Century