The United States recognized Bosnia-Herzegovina as an independent state on April 7, 1992, when the George H.W. Bush Administration announced the decision in a White House statement. Bosnia-Herzegovina had been a constituent part of Yugoslavia.

Diplomatic relations were established on August 6, 1992, when President George H.W. Bush announced the decision during remarks to the press.

Victor Jackovich presented his credentials as American Ambassador on June 23, 1993; however, a physical American Embassy to Bosnia-Herzegovina was not established until November 10, 1993, on the premises of the American Embassy in Vienna, Austria. The American Embassy in Sarajevo was established on July 4, 1994, with Jackovich as Ambassador.