The Constitution & How a Bill Becomes a Law

April 30, 2024

The U.S. Government Publishing Office Bookstore offers the following best-selling classics about the American government.

The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition). This official publication contains two core American democracy documents– the Constitution of the United States of America and the Declaration of Independence. It outlines the framework of the entire lawmaking process.

How a Bill Becomes a Law (Poster). This poster outlines the many steps in our Federal law-making process from the introduction of a bill—an excellent resource for a brick-and-mortar classroom or home school.

Here’s a breakdown of how a bill becomes a law and how the Constitution plays a role:

The Journey of a Bill:

  1. Introduction: A member of Congress (Senate or House of Representatives) introduces a bill, proposing a new law or changes to an existing one.
  2. Committee Action: The bill is assigned to a relevant committee for research, discussion, and possible revisions. The committee may hold hearings to gather public input.
  3. Floor Vote: If the committee approves the bill, it goes before the entire chamber (House or Senate) for debate and a vote.
  4. Second Chamber: If the bill passes one chamber, it goes through the same process in the other chamber. There may be revisions to reconcile differences between the two versions.
  5. Reaching the President: Once both chambers approve an identical version of the bill, it’s sent to the President.
  6. Presidential Action: The President has three choices:
    • Sign the bill: The bill becomes law.
    • Veto the bill: The bill is sent back to Congress with reasons for disapproval. Congress can try to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
    • Pocket Veto (inaction): If the President doesn’t sign the bill within 10 days while Congress is in session, it dies. (This doesn’t apply if Congress adjourns before the 10 days.)
  7. Law of the Land: If the President signs or Congress overrides a veto, the bill becomes law and is enforced.

The Constitution’s Role:

The Constitution establishes the legislative branch (Congress) with the power to “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” (Article I, Section 8). It also creates a system of checks and balances:

  • Bicameralism: Having two chambers (House and Senate) ensures more deliberation before a bill becomes law.
  • Presentation Clause: The President can influence legislation by signing or vetoing bills.
  • Veto Override: Congress can check the President’s power by overriding a veto with a supermajority.

This process ensures that laws go through multiple stages of review and approval before becoming effective, reflecting the principles laid out in the Constitution.

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 Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, Congress, Government Printing Office (GPO), Senate, U.S. Constitution, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Best Selling Federal Books

February 1, 2024

The U.S. Government Bookstore highlights our best-selling Federal publications chosen by our customers over the past year. February’s best-seller feature, Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test, asks important questions about U.S. history, such as the supreme law of the land in America. This question and others are part of the updated civics flash cards to help individuals study for the U.S. Naturalization test. There’s no better way to learn about the basics of preparing for the U.S. Naturalization test than the 100 questions and answers deck of flashcards produced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Whether you are an immigrant reviewing facts for the naturalization test or any American citizen who may want a refresher about the American government and history, this flashcard set is one of the easiest educational tools for you to use.

To recap, the definition of “best-selling” can vary but generally refers to publications with exceptionally high sales figures. Here are a few notable topics that cover some of our most popular publications that deeply resonate with readers, securing their place as best-sellers.

  • Civics and Citizenship: Preparing to become a United States citizen and learning about the American system of government is extremely popular with our customers each year.
  • NASA Publications: From stunning space exploration imagery to scientific reports and educational materials, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) publications capture the public’s imagination and inform them about the universe and our place in it.
  • Tax Guides: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes annual tax guides covering individual and business income taxes. While primarily instructional, these guides are in high demand during tax season, making them consistent best-sellers.

We will continue highlighting some of our customers’ favorite government publications in the upcoming months—stay tuned!

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.

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 Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Award Winning Books, Civics and Citizenship | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Best Selling Federal Government Books

January 1, 2024

It’s a new year, and now is a great time to reflect on the accomplishments made during the previous year. For the U.S. Government Bookstore, this means highlighting our best-selling Federal publications chosen by our customers over the past year. We will highlight some of our customers’ favorite government publications in this blog for the next several months.

The definition of “best-selling” can vary but generally refers to publications with exceptionally high sales figures. Here are a few notable topics that cover some of our most popular publications that deeply resonate with readers, securing their place as best-sellers.

  • Civics and Citizenship: Preparing to become a United States citizen and learning about the American system of government is extremely popular with our customers each year.
  • NASA Publications: From stunning space exploration imagery to scientific reports and educational materials, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) publications capture the public’s imagination and inform them about the universe and our place in it.
  • Tax Guides: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes annual tax guides covering individual and business income taxes. While primarily instructional, these guides are in high demand during tax season, making them consistent best-sellers.

Without further ado, this month’s best-seller feature, Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons, helps immigrants study for the civics and English portions of the naturalization test. There are 100 civics history and government questions on the test. For example, “What is the supreme law of the land in America?” This question and others are part of the updated civics flash cards for the U.S. Naturalization test. It can also be used in a classroom setting or as a fun family game civics refresher to check how much you know about the nation in which you live, the freedoms you enjoy, and the responsibilities that come from citizenship.

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 Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Award Winning Books, Civics and Citizenship, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrate Constitution Day

September 13, 2023

The United States celebrates Constitution Day on September 17th to commemorate when delegates came together in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the U.S. Constitution into law. It is the supreme law of the land and establishes the basic framework of the U.S. government.

There are many ways to celebrate Constitution Day. You can attend educational programs or read the 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, to stay connected with the principles that have made America a bastion of democracy throughout its history.

Here are some ideas for how to celebrate Constitution Day:

  • Attend an educational program about the Constitution.
  • Visit the National Archives and see the original Constitution.
  • Read the Constitution and discuss it with your family or friends.
  • Watch a documentary about the Constitution.
  • Participate in a community event that celebrates the Constitution.
  • Volunteer your time to help others learn about the Constitution.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, Constitution Day is a great time to reflect on the importance of the United States Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

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: Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

1 Comment | Civics and Citizenship, Congress, Teachers and teaching, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Constitution, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Citizenship and Civics Resources

August 25, 2023

Are you a new immigrant seeking legal status as an American citizen? The main requirements for U.S. citizenship are:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have been a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
  • Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
  • Have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.

If you are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, there are many resources available to help you. Fortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are making educational and testing publications available to help those who want to prepare for their upcoming tests. The USCIS has published the following helpful resources from the U.S. Government Publishing Office Bookstore in English and Spanish.

Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants is a comprehensive guide for new permanent residents. It contains practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States and provides basic civics information that introduces new immigrants to the U.S. system of government. Spanish-language edition is also available here.

Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test (English). There’s no better way to learn about the basics of preparing for the U.S. Naturalization test than these 100 questions and answers deck of flash cards. Whether you are an immigrant reviewing facts for the naturalization test or an American citizen that may want a refresher about the American government and history, this flash card set is a great educational tool. The Spanish-language edition is also available here.

To browse other USCIS titles, click here.

The naturalization process can take several months or even years. It is important to be patient and persistent if you are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen.

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 Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, Hispanics, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States

May 25, 2022

Does your family have a copy of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States? Every American should have handy the words of America’s founding fathers to help remind us all of the values of our freedom and independence.

This pocket-sized booklet can easily be kept in a home or on-person as a reminder of how our government is structured and operates. It also defines the ratification and amendment ratification process.

Important words of historical value, not only to live by but offer teachable moments with family and friends…

Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ….. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

Constitution of the United States

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Pick up your copy of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States now!

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 Publications and Information Sales office.

2 Comments | Civics and Citizenship, Department of Homeland Security, Libraries, Teachers and teaching, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Constitution, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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.

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, Department of Homeland Security, Teachers and teaching, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Constitution | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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.

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Bill of Rights Day

December 14, 2020

The Bill of Rights was established on December 15, 1791. It was one of our country’s earliest acts to protect the rights endowed by our founding documents that are afforded all Americans. It is the first ten amendments to the Constitution and guarantees our freedoms. These Ten Constitutional Amendments safeguard the principles of equality, liberty, and justice.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office Bookstore provides a number of 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, Declaration of Independence. You can use this comprehensive booklet to stay readily connected with the principles that have made America a bastion of democracy throughout its history.

The Citizen Almanac features information on our history, diverse people, and events that brought us where we are today as a beacon of hope and freedom to the world. This booklet serves as an important reminder of the cherished rights and responsibilities immigrants have upon becoming a U.S. citizen. There’s always more to learn about this great country, its founding ideals, achievements, and history. These important resources provide a great place to begin the journey.

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.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

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.

 

1 Comment | Civics and Citizenship, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrating our Constitution and Citizenship

September 16, 2020

The meaning of being an American citizen is grounded in the words of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We can be proud as the only nation founded on the words of Thomas Jefferson in 1776, who proposed human rights inherent to all people found in the Declaration of Independence: “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition). These papers created by America’s Founding Fathers define our government and guarantee our individual rights. On September 17, Americans are encouraged to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. For newly arrived and established immigrants, it’s a time to reflect on becoming an American citizen, as a day like no other.

USCIS Adult Citizenship Education Program Development Guide: Building an Adult Citizenship Program. With Constitution Week being celebrated from September 17-23, the Government Publishing Office suggests seeking out publications produced by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that speak to the values and responsibilities of American citizenship. Also in this collection, you will find study resources for civics and English portions of the naturalization interview, plus testing procedures essential to prospective citizens.

For those who are taking steps to become U.S. citizens, USCIS provides many guides with questions on the civics test like, “What is the supreme law of the land?” and “What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?”

To help celebrate Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, test your knowledge, with some of these resources associated with these important events: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/citizenship-civics.

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.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

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.

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Government Resources for July Fourth

July 2, 2020

This year, July Fourth will undoubtedly look a little different than usual. While many fireworks displays and other celebrations have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are still many ways to let freedom ring. That includes making a visit to GPO Online Bookstore for some patriotic publications.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, inspiring Independence Day, a day for Americans to come together, celebrate their freedom and display patriotism. As is written by the National Archives, the Declaration of Independence “states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based.” This document, which continues to be an inspiration for freedom and equality around the world, declared why the thirteen colonies considered themselves independent from Great Britain. Representatives from all thirteen colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) signed the document. If you want to feel truly patriotic this year, you can purchase a pocket edition of the Declaration of Independence from the GPO Bookstore.

Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition) contains two core American democracy documents—the Constitution of the United States of America and the Declaration of Independence. This official primary source document outlines the framework of our National Government. Keep this handy pocket-sized document on you to exhibit your pride for your country … and to add a little patriotism to your already red, white and blue Fourth of July ensemble. This booklet also defines the ratification and amendment ratification process.

The Citizen’s Almanac from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says “naturalized citizens have played an important role in shaping this country. From Alexander Hamilton to Albert Einstein, foreign-born Americans have contributed to all aspects of society—literature, motion pictures, public service, and athletics, to name just a few.” This almanac, available at the GPO Bookstore, offers information on the history, people, and events that have made the United States a beacon of hope and freedom to the world. This booklet will serve as a reminder of the important rights and responsibilities immigrants will have as a U.S. citizen and is perfect for anyone preparing themselves for taking the Naturalization Test to become a citizen of the United States.

GPO wishes you and your family a safe and healthy July 4th. Happy Independence Day!

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.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

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 PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

2 Comments | Civics and Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Constitution and Citizenship Day

September 15, 2017

On September 17, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. On this special day, all Americans are urged to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

It’s also a time to recognize people who are taking steps to become legal U.S. citizens. To support the cause for celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day here are some Federal government resources for learners and teachers associated with this important day.

Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition). 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.

The Citizen’s Almanac is a collection of America’s most cherished symbols of freedom and liberty, serving as a modern day lifeline to the rich civic history we all share as Americans. The booklet includes information on patriotic anthems and symbols, citizenship rights and responsibilities, the creation of our founding documents, biographical details on prominent foreign-born Americans, landmark decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, and important presidential and historic speeches on citizenship.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit. This toolkit contains settlement information for new immigrants to the United States, information on the U.S. naturalization process, study materials for the naturalization test, reference materials on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and U.S. history, multimedia tools including DVDs and an audio CD, teaching guides and planning resources, flash cards, and books.

Learn About The United States: Quick Civics Lessons for the Naturalization Test. There are 100 civics (history and government) questions on the naturalization test. This booklet contains short lessons based on each of the 100 civics questions. This additional information will help you learn more about important concepts in American history and government.

Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test (2017). These Civics Flash Cards will help immigrants learn about U.S. history and government while preparing for the naturalization test. These flash cards can also be used in the classroom as an instructional tool for citizenship preparation.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

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

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 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.

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.

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

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Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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