United States Information Agency (USIA) was an independent agency that served as the official diplomacy arm of the U.S. government from 1953 to 1999. It was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Through a wide range of activities, the USIA provided insight about the United States to people overseas. It also brought many foreigners to the United States to experience American culture and society. The USIA's mission was to strengthen foreign understanding of and support for U.S. policies and action; to assist in establishing democratic governments and free-market economies in other countries; and to advise the president, the secretary of state, and other key officials on how public opinion in foreign countries affected U.S. policies. The USIA was known overseas as the U.S. Information Service. When the agency was dissolved, many of its responsibilities were transferred to the State Department.