Washington,+DC

Our Nation’s Capital
The Capitol Building is where Congress meets to make our nation’s laws.

Does this building look familiar to you? It is the Capitol Building. It is one of the great landmarks of the city of Washington, D.C. Washington is our nation’s capital. It is the home of our national government. It is the place where the people who have the power to make rules and decisions for our country do their jobs.

The work of our government is important to all of us. The government creates the rules we live by. Picture what life would be like without rules. Think about it as you leave the train to visit Washington, D.C.

Welcome back. Now that you have had a chance to think about how important rules are, let me tell you a bit more about our government’s rules, or laws.

Our government’s laws help to make sure that each person’s rights are protected. Our rights include the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.

The government also works for the common good. This means that the government tries to act in ways that serve all people, not just a few. Our government seeks to provide an equal chance for all people. It tries to treat all people fairly.

Our government is based on the idea of democracy. The word //democracy// means “rule by the people.” One way in which the people in the United States rule is by choosing their leaders. People choose leaders in elections. Voting in elections is a key part of being a good citizen.

Our Government Buildings
** US Supreme Court Building **

The national government of the United States has three branches, or parts. Each branch has a different role. Each helps promote the common good and protect people’s basic rights. And each has a special building it calls home.

Congress is the legislative branch. It makes laws for our country. Voters in each state elect lawmakers to represent them in Congress. Congress works in the Capitol Building.

The president of the United States is the head of the executive branch. The president’s main job is to make sure that laws passed by Congress are carried out. The president is also elected. The president lives and works in the White House.

The judicial branch is the third branch of government. It is made up of the nation’s courts. This branch guarantees that the laws passed by Congress are obeyed. The courts also seek truth and justice. They decide questions and disagreements about our laws. For example, courts decide whether someone has broken a law.

The highest court is the Supreme Court. Its home is also in Washington, D.C.—in the Supreme Court Building. One of the Supreme Court’s jobs is to make sure that laws passed by Congress follow the United States Constitution. The Constitution explains what the U.S. government and its leaders can and cannot do. The Supreme Court also helps make sure that government treats all people fairly.

Our National Monuments
Washington, D.C., is more than a home to government. It also has many famous landmarks. You have visited the Capitol Building and have seen the White House and the Supreme Court Building. Other buildings honor the ideas and the people that have helped make our country great. Still others hold some of our national treasures.

**Washington Monument** **Jefferson Memorial**

Washington, D.C., has many monuments. These are buildings that help us remember important people or events. The Washington Monument celebrates the first president of the United States. His name was George Washington. The Jefferson Memorial honors Thomas Jefferson. He was our third president. Jefferson also wrote the Declaration of Independence. This document says, “All men are created equal.” It gives some of the main ideas that have shaped our government.


 * National Archives**

In Washington, D.C., you can see the signed copy of the Declaration of Independence. It is at one of the city’s great museums—the National Archives. Also in the National Archives are the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791. It lists our most cherished freedoms. Thanks to the Bill of Rights, we have the freedom of speech. We can speak out if we are unhappy with our government. The Bill of Rights also promises us freedom of religion. These are just two examples.

As you have learned, there is much to see and do in Washington, D.C. You can find out about our nation’s history. You can learn about the ideas that are important to our country. You can celebrate our past. I hope you have enjoyed your visit!

media type="youtube" key="-kcJV2OFmxk" height="390" width="640"

media type="youtube" key="ktqgtlFjWRw" height="390" width="640"

The video below is one we did not see in class, but it will take you on a tour of some of Washington's Monuments.

media type="youtube" key="mHRdhCLVRYc" height="390" width="480"

We did not watch the following video in class either, but this one shows how the Declaration of Independence came to the National Archives Building. Watch this to find out what the real mystery of the Declaration really is.

media type="youtube" key="W9ovu0a6pL8" height="390" width="480"