History & heritage / History · Morocco–U.S.
1777 to 1786: a friendship that became America’s oldest treaty
Morocco opened its ports to American ships in 1777. The two countries signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786, now the United States’ oldest unbroken treaty.
The full picture
Beyond the number
Morocco opened its ports to American ships in 1777. The two countries signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786, now the United States’ oldest unbroken treaty.
Sultan Mohammed III opened Moroccan ports to American ships in 1777, an early act of friendship toward the newly independent United States.
The U.S. Department of State describes the 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship as the oldest unbroken U.S. treaty. Its Office of the Historian dates formal recognition to the treaty signed on June 23, 1786.
Then / Now
How the story unfolded
Sultan Mohammed III opened Moroccan ports to American ships.
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed in Marrakech; the Office of the Historian uses this date for formal recognition.
The United States ratified the treaty.
Morocco gifted the Tangier Legation property to the United States.
Full diplomatic relations began.
Verify it
Sources & further reading
- U.S. State Department · bilateral relations
- U.S. State Department · first U.S. legation and treaty
- Office of the Historian · Morocco chronology
- National Museum of American Diplomacy · Tangier Legation
Image credits
- Tangier American Legation building, photographed in 1974: U.S. National Register Staff · Public domain · U.S. government
- Entrance to the Tangier American Legation: U.S. Department of State · Public domain · U.S. government
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