Government Facts and Civic Oddities

Census

The U.S. Census, conducted every 10 years, determines Congressional seats and federal funding. It is constitutionally required - the first was held in 1790.

Congressional Record

Every word spoken in the U.S. House and Senate is transcribed into the Congressional Record - a permanent log of floor activity, debates, and votes.

Executive Orders

Executive Orders are not laws, but they carry the force of law. George Washington issued the first one in 1789. Some have reshaped history, such as desegregating the military or creating national parks.

Federal Land

Roughly 34% of U.S. land is federally owned. Most of it is in western states like Nevada, Utah, and Alaska. The Bureau of Land Management oversees a large portion of it.

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows public access to previously undisclosed government documents. Agencies must respond to requests within 20 business days, though delays are common.

Government Secrecy

The U.S. government classifies more than 50 million documents each year. Some remain sealed for decades and are only released under FOIA or formal declassification schedules.

Government Shutdown

When Congress fails to pass funding bills, a government shutdown occurs. Federal workers go unpaid, and national parks, museums, and agencies close temporarily.

ID Numbers

Government-issued ID numbers, including Social Security and passport numbers, follow structured digit systems. These patterns help prevent duplication and fraud.

Passports

U.S. passports are printed on security paper with microtext, ultraviolet layers, and embedded data chips. These features help prevent forgery and identity theft.

Postal Service

In 1913, it was legal to send children through the mail. As long as the child weighed under the parcel limit and had postage, postal carriers would deliver them to family.

Public Records

Many public records - such as court rulings, budgets, and even government UFO files - are available online through federal and state portals.

Secret Service

The U.S. Secret Service was founded in 1865 to combat counterfeiting. It did not become a presidential protection agency until after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901.

Social Security

The numbers on a Social Security card are not random. The first three digits reflect the state of issuance. The next two digits are the group number, and the last four are a unique serial.

Tax Returns

The IRS receives more than 160 million individual tax returns each year. As of 2023, over 90% of them were filed electronically.

White House

The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, and a bowling alley. Its kitchen is staffed to serve 140 guests at a time.