Civics

Americans view the National Park Service more favorably than any other federal agency.

George Washington's Farewell Address, delivered at the end of his presidency, warned that political factions and foreign entanglements were the greatest threats to the American Republic.

Explore the life and presidency of George Washington, whose two terms in office were defined by precedent-setting, restraint, and institution-building.

The American Society of Civil Engineers' infrastructure report card gave the US a C in 2025, its highest grade since the project launched in 1998.

Electric grids worldwide must double their power delivery capacity by 2050 to meet surging demand from AI and electric vehicles.

Learn how critical services, infrastructure, and people would be impacted by a US-scale blackout—a nationwide, long-term failure of the electric grid.

Explore fun facts from the USPS, including unique post office buildings, a stamp that traveled past Pluto, and more.

Mark Twain spent decades feuding with the US Postal Service, convinced its costs and regulations were bureaucratic overreach.

The USPS spent $3.97B in 2024, accounting for .058% of the federal budget.

Hear about the 250-year history of the United States Postal Service, complete with some of its strangest deliveries, important innovations, and the figures that made it an American institution.

Before the current East Wing ballroom project, only two White House renovations in the past 100 years cost more than $10M.

44% of Americans say they pray at least once a day—discover how your state's religiosity stacks up against the rest of the country.

After the Boston Tea Party, colonists switched to coffee, which became the main morning drink for revolutionaries.

The power and influence of the American presidency have expanded significantly over time—far beyond what the founders envisioned.

Meet the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence—most of whom didn't put pen to paper until August 2, 1776—and see their original signatures.

The rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson centered on federalism—the question of how much power the federal government should hold relative to the states.

Many legends about George Washington, including his supposed wooden teeth and the story of cutting down the cherry tree, lack evidence.

Gerrymandering works through two techniques: cracking opposing voters across districts to dilute their power, and packing them into a few to waste their votes in lopsided majorities.

The United States is one of only around two dozen countries with a fully federal system of government, in which power is divided between national and state governments.

The original copy of the Declaration of Independence is not a pristine document, and even features a smudged anonymous handprint in the bottom left corner.

Despite being favored by 87% of Americans, Congress does not have term limits.

Trace how the Bill of Rights, inspired by centuries of political theory, took shape between 1774 and 1789.

The US Constitution is widely regarded as the longest-standing written national constitution still in force—see how it has influenced rights worldwide.