Learn About the United States

December 14, 2021

Bill of Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 15. It’s a great time to reflect on two fundamental resources that are the foundation of our nation’s reliance on laws that govern. Our Nation’s beginning started when our founding fathers wrote and approved the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The Bill of Rights were created and placed at the opening of the Constitution. These essential individual rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Initially there were no individual rights as the founders were focused on establishing a new form of government. However, many citizens at the time recognized the importance of individual rights and wanted to make sure essential personal freedoms were included. Thus, the Bill of Rights came to be.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office Bookstore provides many federal titles describing the contents of the Constitution as well as other historical documents.

Americans can keep the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence handy in this pocket-size booklet containing the complete text of the two core documents of American democracy; the Constitution of the United States, and, the Declaration of Independence. You can use this comprehensive booklet to stay connected with the principles that have made America a bastion of democracy throughout its history.

To learn more about America’s history, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has created a series of flash cards Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons. This set of educational flash cards were especially designed for new immigrants to more easily learn about the history and wonder of becoming an American citizen.

These are great resources for civics, Government, and history teachers and students.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Aviation History Month

November 23, 2021

American innovation came to flight in December 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright flew a powered aircraft successfully four times, with the longest flight that day being 852 feet!

In celebration of Aviation History Month and all of the Americans who have contributed to humankind’s ability to fly, the GPO bookstore has assembled a collection of publications focusing on aviation.

Visit the U.S. Government Bookstore and browse a variety of aviation-oriented publications ranging from commercial aviation to titles published by the Department of Defense. Notable titles include FAA Safety Briefing (great for civilian pilots), and the Air Force Reserve publication, Citizen Airman.

Fly high, fly safely, those who take to the air, whether for pleasure, commercial ventures or in service to the nation.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Taking Care of Our Veterans

November 10, 2021

On November 11 our nation celebrates Veterans Day. This important occasion is held annually to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. And just in time for this year’s Veterans Day, the U.S Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration, which ensures our Veterans are kept well informed of the deserving benefits provided to them for unselfishly serving our nation, recently released its latest publication Health Care Benefits Overview: Your Complete Guide to VA Benefits.

This handy booklet provides Veterans and their families with the information they need to understand VA’s health care system. It provides eligibility requirements, health benefits as well as VA services for veterans and much more.

If you, a family member, friend, or work associate are a Veteran, this resource is a worth obtaining.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: About the author: Trudy Hawkins is a writer and senior marketing specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Division supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov).


Constitution Day September 17th

September 16, 2021

September 17th is Constitution Day. America celebrates this day to commemorate when delegates came together in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the U.S. Constitution into law. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that the holiday took on the full name it bears today.  In 2004, Senator Robert Byrd passed an amendment renaming the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” which requires public schools and institutions to provide information on the history of the country’s Constitution.

The Constitution is often called a living document since it can be amended through a governmental process. The process for amending the Constitution can be found in the Constitution itself. And it can often take time to add an amendment, a process the founders developed as an attempt to ensure the power remained with the people.

Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition) is a pocket-size booklet containing the complete text of these two core documents of American democracy, the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence. Use this easy to read way to stay connected with the principles that have made America a bastion of democracy throughout its history.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Space Exploration Day

July 20, 2021

Space Exploration Day is celebrated on July 20th. On this important day in 1969, America’s Apollo 11 mission safely landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin on the moon’s surface. Today space venture has become the norm with multiple private projects of individuals preparing for open space endeavors.

The National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) remains the lead force not only in space exploration but also in developing products derived from the scientific endeavors necessary to support the increasingly challenging missions NASA performs as it seeks to reach new heights in space exploration.

The Government Publishing Office online bookstore offers a collection of publications featuring the exploits and wonders of the NASA program from its earliest days until today. At the online bookstore find publications from books with spectacular photography from above planet earth featuring phytoplankton blooms in the Western North Atlantic Ocean to commercial products developed from NASA’s technological efforts highlighting dozens of technologies such as self-guided cars, patient care and more. It’s all at https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/aerospace-astronomy-space-exploration.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Publications for the 4th of July

July 2, 2021

The 4th of July holiday is a great time for our Nation to reflect on the blessings of being a beacon of hope and democratic freedoms. There’s no better time than the days ahead to read about American History and remember why we celebrate Independence Day. Visit the U.S. Government Bookstore and start your journey back to the years that shaped America to this day.

Our American History collection of titles offer unique insights into our Nation’s early past, including an extensive collection about the history of the American Indian tribes. Also, consider the beautiful set of colorful posters depicting important events in the history of America such as the Philadelphia 1776 (Poster), and the British Redcoat, 1775-1783 (Poster). These posters provide detailed information about the period during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Soldier in the War for American Independence (Poster) features a different set of historic details and colorful graphics about the American Army during the Revolutionary War.

Be amazed by the seldom told stories of those who fought to ensure our Union was free of European domination and how the American West was once the domain of native Americans. The GPO Bookstore offers poster art and interesting stories from the Revolutionary War to enjoy, honor and memorialize America’s earliest days. Reading these publications is a perfect way to celebrate the founding of America, 245 years ago on Independence Day, July 4th, 1776. You can find it all by visiting https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/pre-us-colonial-american-history.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


The Great Outdoors

June 17, 2021

Grand Canyon National Park, NPS

Summer is upon us and with COVID-19 cases declining across the country, Americans now have the opportunity to experience family outings again. And as temperatures are warming, Americans as well as foreign visitors are making national parks their favorite outdoor destinations.

No one values America’s great outdoors more than our President. In his Great Outdoors proclamation, President Biden encourages all Americans to “explore our Nation’s beautiful outdoor spaces.  As we enjoy the great outdoors — from national parks to our own backyards — let us rededicate ourselves to conserving our Nation’s natural spaces for our own well-being, and for the health, safety, prosperity, and fulfillment of generations to come.”

If you are still planning that special destination you may want to acquire this helpful guide about how to prepare and check out in advance the details of a trip to America’s National Park System.

To help you make the most of your trip, visit the Government Publishing Office online bookstore for incredible natural wonders to explore across many national parks from the rocky coast of Maine to the deserts of southern California and Arizona.

Check out our national park resources at: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/national-parks.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN NATIONAL PARKS RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


TARDEC: America’s Tank Center’s Evolving Story

May 28, 2021

The U.S. Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) was established in 1946. During the early years, engineering emphasis was on new technologies to improve military ground vehicles. The result was the highly successful U.S. Army M1 Abrams tank. The global competition from America’s adversaries was fierce in the latest ground warfare technologies, particularly from Russia, which has been a leader in the advancement of the tank as a ground force, making the mission of TARDEC a priority.

This reprint of TARDEC Story: Sixty-five Years of Innovation, 1946-2010 is a comprehensive history of the many innovations in tanks and other military ground vehicles and equipment developed by the engineers at TARDEC. It is full of illuminating illustrations and photographs to that depict the advanced building techniques as well as the formidable machines that roll out of the assembly lines. Those within the military, military history buffs, and military enthusiasts will enjoy this graphical history. For the technically minded and/or military savvy, here’s a publication both historical and appealing in its insights and graphic depiction of new ground warfare technology in action.

Learn about more about America’s military history by visiting our Department of Defense collection here. Also, check out our abundance of military magazines & journals.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Armed Forces Day

May 13, 2021

Any day is a great day to celebrate the men and women in the military who valiantly “serve and protect” America. Armed Forces Day, which is held on May 15 this year, is an opportunity for Americans to recognize the valor of our armed forces and to reflect upon the past and present service of our dedicated warriors across all branches of military service.

You can share in the experience of military service by visiting the Government Publishing Office Bookstore Armed Forces collection of books about the storied history of our United States Armed Forces, from Revolutionary times until today, featuring the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. Seeking out military subscriptions to own, published by the Armed Forces & Military Branches?  Check out the abundance of military magazines & journals also featured on the online bookstore.

Plus, you’ll find military branch eBooks in this collection. Most are available for a low cost, and some are even free.

Let the celebration begin by visiting our Armed Forces collection here.

And next time you see an American in uniform, it never gets old for them to hear, “thank you for your service!”

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Physical Wellness Month

April 13, 2021

April is Physical Wellness Month. Physical wellness includes both physical fitness as well as nutrition. According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans, available at the U.S. GPO Bookstore, even though infections disease rates have dropped, the rates of chronic diet-related diseases have risen in part to changes in lifestyle behaviors. Also according to the publication, more than two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children and youth in America are overweight or obese.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage Americans to:

  1. Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan
  2. Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount
  3. Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fasts and reduce sodium intake
  4. Shift to healthier food and beverage choices
  5. Support healthy eating patterns for all

The guidelines explain that Americans should eat vegetables from all subgroups—dark green, red and orange, legumes, starchy, and other. A healthy eating pattern also includes fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and a variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes, and nuts.

Healthy eating patterns limit saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Check out the publication to learn what percent of your calories each day can be from added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Also helpful are the guideline’s suggestions for shifting current eating patterns to healthier patterns. For example, choose plain popcorn instead of buttered, whole grain bread instead of croissants, and fruit rather than cake or cookies for dessert.

Coming very soon to the GPO Bookstore is the newest version of this publication, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. Check our online bookstore periodically for the latest version and get on track for Physical Wellness Month!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the P.R. Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.


Vietnam War History

March 26, 2021

The Vietnam War ended in 1975, yet to this day it is one of the most well-documented wars in American history. Many Americans may not realize the U.S. military had been engaged in Vietnam since World War II. The United States advised the South Vietnamese military and the French colonist occupiers during the immediate postwar years. It also developed an advisory program after the Geneva Agreements of 1954.

The Government Publishing Office (GPO) online bookstore covers every phase of America’s involvement in Vietnam, including sources showing how the U.S. intelligence community viewed critical developments over a 27-year period, ranging from analysis of the implications of the post-World War II breakup of colonial empires to the Communist takeover of Saigon in 1975.

The extensive coverage of the Vietnam War by every branch of the U.S. military is a testament to the importance the Pentagon placed on Vietnam War decisions made by past presidents and their respective administrations from World War II to the end of the war in 1975.

To gain a better understanding of the history of the Vietnam War, browse GPO’s Vietnam War collection here to find a title that matches the period you might be most interested in reading.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.


Women’s History Month

March 9, 2021

March is Women’s History Month, a time for celebrating the wide range of women’s contributions and achievements in society.  In recognition of the many achievements of all the American women who have helped shape our history, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) offers many publications, highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of American women.

Visit the GPO online bookstore Women’s History collection featuring notable women such as Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President in American history; Harriet Tubman, escaped slave and brave conductor of the Underground Railroad who later fought for women’s rights; First Lady, U.S. senator and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; the first woman elected to Congress and much more.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Trudy Hawkins is a writer and senior marketing specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Division supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov).


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