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U.S. Government and Politics ‑ Stories

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

Assassination of President Garfield.

How a Presidential Assassination Led to the End of the Spoils System

Before civil service reforms—introduced after President Garfield’s assassination—federal employees could be fired for not making campaign donations.

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A public school room in Washington, D.C. circa late 1800s.

The Rise and Rapid Fall of the First US Department of Education

The department, established in 1867, faced opposition from some Southern congressmen who associated it with education for the formerly enslaved.

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Federal Hall, New York City, circa 1789; the first capitol building of the United States.

The 18th‑Century Origins of Recess Appointments

When cross‑country travel by horse prevented senators from quickly convening, the Framers decided to allow the president to make temporary appointments.

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Key People Who Shaped George Washington's Life: John Adams

When John Adams Signed a Law to Authorize Deportations and Jail Critics

The 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts called for deportation of people from ‘hostile’ nations and made it a crime to criticize the government.

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Kissinger, October 1972.

7 ‘October Surprises’ That Disrupted US Presidential Elections

When scandalous news emerged in the final weeks of these presidential campaigns, election outcomes were at stake.

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teleprompter

Who Invented the Teleprompter?

The first version of the teleprompter was invented by a television actor who was worried about delivering his lines.

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In the 2000 Election, Vote Counting Disputes Led to 36 Days of Uncertainty

The 5 Closest Presidential Elections in US History

Some presidential elections have been decided by just a few thousand votes—or even a few hundred.

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Judy Garland seated next to Senator John F. Kennedy

From Sinatra to Streisand: 100 Years of Celebrity Political Endorsements

For more than a century, movie stars, famous athletes and musicians have all lent their star power to support presidential campaigns.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner celebrate during the 1936 Democratic National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1936.

The 7 Biggest Landslides in US Presidential History

These presidents (including one who later became very unpopular) arrived at the White House with overwhelming margins of victory.

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A crowd of delegates in the 1968 Democratic Convention convention holding up the signs that say Stop the War

We Were There: The 1968 Democratic Convention

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin shares intimate—and harrowing—memories of the turmoil she and her husband witnessed that summer in Chicago.

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Eisenhower cigarettes

7 Campaign Gimmicks Used by Presidential Candidates

From songs to toys to cigarette packs, presidential candidates have found creative ways to reach the public.

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imports, tariffs

What Is a Tariff? 

Tariffs have been used to bring in revenue, protect domestic industries from foreign competition and cooperate or retaliate against other nations around the world.

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