American Democracy by the Numbers

The data behind how America’s government began and how it functions today

We the People. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All men are created equal. Freedom of the press. Trial by jury. The United States is the oldest continuous democracy in the world, and a model and inspiration for other nations seeking to build democratic institutions.

The ideals expressed at the founding of the United States, a great experiment in freedom and democracy, have continued to evolve for more than 250 years. Join us as we explore how America’s government began and how it functions today.

Article

Government by the Numbers

Quick View
Article

The executive branch is one of the three branches of the U.S. government; it includes the president, vice president, presidential advisors and Cabinet, 15 executive departments, as well as hundreds of other bureaus and agencies. U.S. government employees within the executive branch play a variety of critical roles, such as issuing passports, maintaining public lands, printing money, monitoring the economy, and supporting health programs.

Article

America’s Defining Documents

Quick View
Article

The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. America’s founding documents were the result of debates and compromises that created a new nation unlike any other. Learn more about the history and content of America’s defining documents.