Government

GovernmentConstitutionConstitutionSupreme law of the landWe the peopleSigned in 1787Signed by the delegates

Video Pt 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DnZ_ZY3lgAConstitution Seeking independence from England and the British Crown, thirteen American colonies declared themselves sovereign and independent states.

Video Pt 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdpirDWZ47kBill of RightsThese rights/freedoms are: 1. freedom of expression2. freedom of speech3. freedom of assembly4. freedom to petition the government5. freedom of worship6. the right to bear arms

BranchesThere are 3 branches of government

Legislative

Executive

JudicialLegislativeCongress heads the Legislative branch

The Senate2 for each state 6 year terms

The House of Representatives435: based on population

Elected by the people

LegislativeCongress heads the Legislative branch Congress works in the capital building

ExecutiveThe President is the head of the Executive branchThe Vice President becomes president if he/she diesThe cabinet is a special group that advises the President

ExecutiveThe people vote for the president in November

The people vote every 4 years

The next presidential election is 2016

JudicialThe Supreme Court is the head of the Judicial Branch12 judges are selected by the President (POTUS)

JudicialThe judicial branch works in the Supreme Court BuildingThey interpret the law

Checks and BalancesLimits the powers of each branchPowers overlapWashington DCThe White House, the Capital Building, and the Supreme Court Building are all located in the capital, Washington DC

The FlagOld Glory

Stars50 stars on the flag, one for each stateWhite star in a blue background

StripesRed and white13 original coloniesVirginia is an original colony

Stripes

Virginia (VA)New Jersey (NJ)Massachusetts (MA)New Hampshire (NH) Pennsylvania (PA)New York (NY)Maryland (MD)Connecticut (CT)Rhode Island (RI)Delaware (DE)North Carolina (NC)South Carolina (SC)Georgia (GA)

The Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of loyalty to the flag and the USAPlace your right hand over your heart and recite

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

National Anthem The Star Spangled Banner

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1QmeEdFOScVirginiaState Flag

State Seal

GovernorBob McDonnell

SenatorsTim Kaine

Mark Warner

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

National BirdThe National Bird of the United States is the American Bald Eagle.

Mount RushmoreFour Presidents faces are carved into the mountainLocated in South Dakota

1. George Washington

2. Thomas Jefferson

3. Theodore Roosevelt

4. Abraham Lincoln