What is the Government?

The U.S. government is the system we use to make rules, solve problems, and provide services that keep the country running. It’s made up of leaders and public workers who are elected or appointed to help make decisions on things like schools, safety, transportation, and more.

15 Surprising & Shareable Facts About the U.S. Government

1. The U.S. government is divided into three branches

The legislative branch (Congress) makes laws, the executive branch (led by the President) enforces them, and the judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts) interprets them.

2. The President lives in a 132-room mansion

The White House has 35 bathrooms, a bowling alley, a cinema, and even a chocolate shop.

3. Kids can help change the law

Children have successfully sparked real change by starting petitions, writing letters to Congress, or speaking at events.

4. Congress has its own underground subway

A mini subway system runs beneath the Capitol, helping lawmakers get around fast—especially in bad weather.

5. The U.S. Constitution is over 230 years old

It’s the oldest written constitution still in use today, adopted in 1787.

6. Air Force One is more than a plane

It’s a flying command center, complete with a kitchen, bedrooms, and meeting rooms.

7. There are over 600,000 elected officials in the U.S.

From school board members to senators, that’s a whole lot of people working to represent the public.

8. The Library of Congress is the world’s largest

With more than 170 million items, it houses books, letters, maps, photos, and even comic books.

9. Pizza sauce once counted as a vegetable

In 2011, Congress allowed pizza with tomato sauce to meet school lunch vegetable requirements.

10. Supreme Court Justices serve for life

Once appointed, they can stay on the bench as long as they choose—unless they retire or are removed.

11. Washington, D.C., isn’t a state

It’s a federal district, so residents pay taxes but don’t have full representation in Congress.

12. Each state runs its own mini government

Every state has its own governor, laws, and court system—sort of like a smaller version of the federal government.

13. There are laws just for cheese

Seriously. The federal code includes specific legal standards for cheese and how it’s made.

14. You can write to the President

And sometimes, the White House will write back—especially if the letter comes from a child.

15. Many federal buildings offer free tours

Want to visit the Capitol or the Supreme Court? Most are free and often have family-friendly options.

Bonus: A Few D.C. Monument Facts Worth Sharing

• The Washington Monument is 555 feet tall and was the tallest building in the world when it was completed.

• The Lincoln Memorial has 36 columns—one for every state in the U.S. when Lincoln died.

• There’s a typo on the Jefferson Memorial: it uses the word “inalienable” instead of the original “unalienable.”

• There’s a staircase inside the Capitol dome, but you’ll need a special invite from a member of Congress to see the view.