United States

US Presidential Election of 2008 (United States)

The two men nominated by their parties in 2008 as candidates for the presidency were a study in contrasts. Republican John McCain was a 72-year-old Vietnam war hero who, as a long-serving senator from Arizona, earned a reputation as a maverick within his own party. Democrat Barack Obama, 47, was an African American former professor […]

History (United States)

United States Chronology 1864 Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman captures Atlanta and marches across Georgia; Grant closes in on Richmond VA. 1865 Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders to Grant at Ap-pomattox Court House VA, ending the Civil War. Lincoln is assassinated. 1867 Reconstruction acts impose military rule on the South. Alaska is purchased from Russia. 1869 […]

Government (United States)

The Presidency at a Glance   PRESIDENT POLITICAL PARTY TIME IN OFFICE VICE PRESIDENT 1 George Washington Federalist 1789- 1797 John Adams 2 John Adams Federalist 1797- 1801 Thomas Jefferson 3 Thomas Jefferson Jeffersonian 1801- 1809 Aaron Burr     Republican     George Clinton 4 James Madison Jeffersonian 1809- 1817 George Clinton     […]

Military Affairs (United States)

US Military Leadership President, Commander in Chief: George W. Bush (20 Jan 2001) Secretary of Defense: Robert M. Gates (18 Dec 2006) Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff: Mike Mullen (1 Oct 2007) Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff: James E. Cartwright (31 Aug 2007) rank/position name (date assumed post) Army   Chief of Staff George […]

Population (United States)

The Changing Face of America The population of the United States increased by 32.7 million people between the censuses of 1990 and 2000. That increase represented the largest population growth in census history. Census 2000 revealed a nation with more ethnic and racial diversity. During the 1990s the Hispanic population (Hispanics may be of anyrace)increased […]

The States and Other Areas (United States)

Alabama Name: Alabama, from the Choctaw language, meaning “thicket clearers.” Nickname: Heart of Dixie. Capital: Montgomery. Rank: population: 23rd; area: 30th; pop. density: 25th. Motto: Audemus Jura Nostra De-fendere (We Dare Defend Our Rights). Song: “Alabama,” words by Julia S. Tutwiler and music by Edna Gockel Gussen. Amphibian: Red Hills salamander. Bird: yellowhammer. Fish: largemouth […]

State Government (United States)

Governors of US States and Territories Governors of New Hampshire and Vermont serve two-year terms; all others serve four-year terms. Parties: Democrat (D); Republican (R); Popular Democrat (PD); Covenant (C). Sources: National Governors Association; Council of State Governments.     in office present term state governor since expires Alabama Bob Riley (R) January 2003 January […]

Cities (United States)

US Urban Growth, 1850-2007 rank city 1850 1900 1950 1990 2000 2007 1 New York NY1 515,547 3,437,202 7,891,957 7,322,564 8,008,278 8,274,527 2 Los Angeles CA 1,610 102,479 1,970,358 3,485,398 3,694,820 3,834,340 3 Chicago IL 29,963 1,698,575 3,620,962 2,783,726 2,896,016 2,836,658 4 Houston TX 2,396 44,633 596,163 1,630,553 1,953,631 2,208,180 5 Phoenix AZ   5,544 […]

Law and Crime (United States)

US Crime Trends, 2007 population group number of population violent property   and area agencies1 (’000)   crime2 crime3 murder cities             1,000,000 and over 10 25,220   -3.7 -1.0 -9.8 500,000 to 999,999 23 15,424   +0.3 -2.7 -1.2 250,000 to 499,999 38 13,157   -3.9 -4.2 -3.3 100,000 […]

Society (United States)

Family Average Family Size, 1950-2006   number of people per   families family year (’000) (average) 1950 39,303 3.54 1955 41,951 3.59 1960 45,111 3.67 1965 47,956 3.70   number of people per   families family year (’000) (average) 1970 51,586 3.58 1975 55,712 3.42 1980 59,550 3.29 1985 62,706 3.23   number of people […]

← Previous Entries