ABOUT THE UNITED STATES

History and Government

The United States is a representative democracy and its people play an important role in the governing process. Our government is based on several fundamental values including freedom, equality, and opportunity. These shared values give all Americans a common civic identity. A basic understanding of these values and how the governing process works is important for both native-born Americans and newly arrived immigrants.

The links below provide resources to help you learn more about U.S. history and government.

• A national initiative providing information on the 100 most important documents in U.S. history.
• Information on America's "Charters of Freedom" from the National Archives.
• Website for the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Website for the U.S. Senate.
• Official website of the president of the United States.
• Website for the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal judiciary.
• Resource on the basics of U.S. history and government.
• Online resource for information in U.S. history and social studies, literature and language arts.
• Publication providing short lessons on U.S. history and government. Also a study tool for the new naturalization test. (Click here to download Adobe Reader)
• Variety of publications on U.S. history and government available for purchase through the Government Printing Office.
• "America's Story" as told by the Library of Congress. Contains information on the American people, historical events, and each of the 50 states.
• Comprehensive online exhibition of historic photographs, documents, and events from the largest library in the world.
• Biographies of every president of the United States.
• Comprehensive handbook on U.S. civic history and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. (Click here to download Adobe Reader)
• Short film presenting the history and founding of America and the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.