Wonderscape
The Powers and Responsibilities of Congress
Learn about the powers granted to Congress, including the authority to make laws, pass the national budget, and oversee the executive branch. Discover the unique powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, such as impeachment...
Wonderscape
Understanding the House of Representatives
Learn about the House of Representatives, one of two chambers in Congress, with 435 seats allocated based on state population. Discover the roles of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader, as well as the...
Wonderscape
Understanding Local Government: Powers and Responsibilities
Learn about how local governments, also known as municipalities, work to improve everyday life in communities. This video explores how city governments get their powers, the differences between Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule, and how city...
Weird History
Why Don't Americans Use the Metric System?
If you grew up in the United States, you probably learned the United States Customary System (USCS) for weights and measures. USCS terms like inches, feet, pounds, and miles are derived from the British Imperial System, steeped in a long...
Weird History
A Beat By Beat Breakdown of Pearl Harbor
Those who woke up in Oahu, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941, had no idea they were about to experience one of the darkest days in modern military history. Over 2,400 Americans perished in the attack where air raid sirens blared, Japanese...
Wonderscape
The 15th Amendment: A Milestone in American Voting Rights
Explore the pivotal role of the 15th Amendment in shaping the democratic landscape of the United States. Enacted as the third of the Reconstruction Amendments post-Civil War, this amendment aimed to safeguard the voting rights of all...
Wonderscape
Understanding the 11th Amendment: A Key Change in U.S. Constitution
Discover the significance of the 11th Amendment, ratified in 1795, which addresses sovereign immunity and limits the ability to sue states in federal court. Originating from the case of Chisholm v. Georgia, this amendment highlights the...
Wonderscape
The 13th Amendment: Ending Slavery in the U.S.
Explore the profound impact of the 13th Amendment on American society and its key role in shaping the nation's history. The 13th Amendment, pivotal among the Reconstruction Amendments, marks the abolition of slavery in the United States....
Wonderscape
The Sixteenth Amendment: A Milestone in American Taxation
Explore the history and significance of the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted Congress the power to levy income taxes. Learn about the context of its creation, its implications for government revenue,...
Wonderscape
Understanding the Twentieth Amendment: The "Lame Duck" Amendment
Explore the significance of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1933. Also known as the "Lame Duck" Amendment, it addresses the transition of power between elections and inaugurals, setting specific...
Wonderscape
Women's Right to Vote: Understanding the Nineteenth Amendment
Delve into the history and significance of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, also known as women's suffrage. Explore the early years of the suffrage movement, including the...
Wonderscape
The Prohibition Era: Understanding the Eighteenth Amendment
Explore the history and impact of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, known as the Prohibition Amendment, which prohibited the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of intoxicating liquors. Learn about the...
Wonderscape
Understanding the Seventeenth Amendment: Direct Election of Senators
Learn about the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, which transformed the process of selecting senators to represent states in Congress. Explore the historical context, challenges with the previous...
Curated Video
Native American Reservations, Explained.
How did Native Americans end up on Reservations? We explore the complicated relationship between the Indian Nations and the United States of America. Watch Tai Leclaire breakdown all you need to know about the Reservation system and why...
Curated Video
The Branches of Government
Dr. Forrester reviews the three branches of federal government. She then gives an example of how a bill becomes law.
Curated Video
Terms of Office
Dr. Forrester talks about our three-tiered form of government. She gives an overview of each branch of government and discusses how officials are elected.
Curated Video
Supreme Court
Sitting at the pinnacle of the judicial branch of government, the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Its landmark rulings have had an enduring impact on American life and law.
Curated Video
Federal and State Powers
The U.S. Constitution divides power between the federal government and states, granting specific national powers and reserving others to states via the 10th Amendment, with federal laws generally overriding state laws.
Curated Video
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
The top ranking officer of the US federal judiciary, the Chief Justice presides over the US Supreme Court. But how did the role come into being and what are his or her roles and responsibilities?
Curated Video
Marbury v. Madison: What is Judicial Review?
The U.S. Supreme Court decides if laws made in the United States violate the Constitution or not. It’s called judicial review and it’s a power that was granted to the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court itself – thanks to a landmark case...
Curated Video
Branches of Government
The federal government of the United States of America is split into three separate and distinct branches. But what do the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary do and why are they necessary?
Curated Video
Gerald Ford: The Unelected President
Gerald Ford holds a unique place in the history of U.S. politics – as the only American to hold the office of Vice President and President without ever winning a national election. Who was he, and what was his presidency like?
Great Big Story
Inside the Library of Congress, Exploring America's Largest Library
Discover the vast collections of the Library of Congress, from rare manuscripts to historical maps and music.
Curated Video
Let's Go There Independence Hall in Philadelphia
Travel to Philiadelphia and explore the birthplace of liberty, Independence Hall.