Up to date as of October 21, 2026
Key Facts for the US Civics Test
Every civics answer, organized by topic
Read one topic at a time, then practice it. The 2025 / 2008 switch shows only the facts for the test you will take.
How to use this page
Every fact on this page restates an official accepted answer from USCIS, and the Q tag on each fact links to its question in the Civics Questions list. Some answers change with elections and appointments; these show the current names and the date they were last checked. Facts are grouped by the official topics. Answers that depend on where you live appear once you choose your state.
Principles of American Government
The founding ideas and documents behind the American system of government
The Constitution
Q2
The supreme law of the land is the U.S. Constitution.
The supreme law of the land is the Constitution.
Q3
The U.S. Constitution forms the government, defines powers of government, defines the parts of government and protects the rights of the people.
The Constitution sets up the government, defines the government and protects basic rights of Americans.
Q4
What “We the People” means
“We the People” means self-government, popular sovereignty, the consent of the governed, and that people should govern themselves. It is an example of social contract.
The first three words of the Constitution are We the People.
Amendments and the Bill of Rights
Q5
Changes are made to the U.S. Constitution through amendments — the amendment process.
An amendment is a change to the Constitution or an addition to the Constitution.
Q6
The Bill of Rights protects the basic rights of Americans and the basic rights of people living in the United States.
Q7
The U.S. Constitution has twenty-seven (27) amendments.
Rights and freedoms from the First Amendment
Rights or freedoms from the First Amendment are speech, religion, assembly, press and to petition the government.
Freedom of religion means you can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
The Declaration of Independence
Q8
The Declaration of Independence is important because it says America is free from British control, it says all people are created equal, it identifies inherent rights and it identifies individual freedoms.
The Declaration of Independence announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain and said that the United States is free from Great Britain.
Q9
The Declaration of Independence said the American colonies were free from Britain.
Q10
Important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
Important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution include equality, liberty, social contract, natural rights, limited government and self-government.
Q11
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in the Declaration of Independence.
Form of Government, the Economy and the Rule of Law
Q1
The United States is a republic — a constitution-based federal republic and a representative democracy.
Q12
The economic system of the United States is capitalism — a free market economy.
The economic system in the United States is a capitalist economy — a market economy.
Q13
The rule of law means everyone must follow the law. Leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, and no one is above the law.
Documents That Influenced the Constitution
Q14
Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution
Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the Mayflower Compact and the Iroquois Great Law of Peace.
Why There Are Three Branches
Q15
There are three branches of government so one part does not become too powerful. This is known as checks and balances and separation of powers.
Finished Principles of American Government?
System of Government
How Congress, the President and the courts share the work of governing
The Three Branches
The three branches of government
Legislative
Congress
Executive
President
Judicial
The courts
Q17
The President of the United States is in charge of the executive branch.
Q18
The U.S. Congress — the U.S. or national legislature, or legislative branch — writes laws.
Congress — the Senate and House of Representatives, or the U.S. or national legislature — makes federal laws.
Congress: the Senate and the House
Congress in numbers
U.S. senators
One hundred (100)
Voting members of the House of Representatives
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
Senators for each state
Two (2)
Q19
The two parts of the U.S. Congress are the Senate and House of Representatives.
Q20
Powers of the U.S. Congress include: it writes laws, declares war and makes the federal budget.
Q22
A term for a U.S. senator is six (6) years.
Q23
Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
Answers will vary. Name one of the U.S. senators from your state. District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where they live) has no U.S. senators.
Choose your state at the top to see the answer for where you live.
Q25
A term for a member of the House of Representatives is two (2) years.
Q26
U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators to more closely follow public opinion.
Q28
Each state has two senators for equal representation for small states. This came from the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).
Q29
Name your U.S. representative.
Answers will vary. Name the U.S. representative for your district. Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may give that Delegate’s or Commissioner’s name, or say that the territory has no voting representatives in Congress.
Choose your state at the top to see the answer for where you live.
Q30
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Mike Johnson
Name the person serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time of your interview. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Q31
A U.S. senator represents the citizens of their state — the people of their state.
A U.S. Senator represents all people of the state.
Q32
U.S. senators are elected by citizens from their state.
Q33
A member of the House of Representatives represents citizens in their congressional district and people from their congressional district — also stated as citizens in their district and people in their district.
Q34
Members of the House of Representatives are elected by citizens from their congressional district.
Q35
Some states have more representatives because of the state’s population — because they have more people and because some states have more people.
The President
Terms of office
President
Four (4) years
U.S. senator
Six (6) years
U.S. representative
Two (2) years
Q37
The President can serve only two terms because of the 22nd Amendment, to keep the president from becoming too powerful.
Q38
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
- President of the United States
- Donald J. Trump
Name the President of the United States serving at the time of your interview. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Q39
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
- Vice President of the United States
- JD Vance
Name the Vice President of the United States serving at the time of your interview. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Q40
If the president can no longer serve, the Vice President of the United States becomes president.
Q41
Powers of the president
Powers of the president include: signs bills into law, vetoes bills, enforces laws, Commander in Chief of the military, chief diplomat and appoints federal judges.
Q42
The Commander in Chief of the U.S. military is the President of the United States.
Q43
The President of the United States signs bills to become laws.
Q44
The President of the United States vetoes bills.
Q45
The President of the United States appoints federal judges.
We vote for President in November.
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President.
⚠ Who becomes President
✓ First the Vice President, then the Speaker of the House
✗ The Chief Justice does NOT become President
✗ The Chief Justice does NOT become President
The Executive Branch and the Cabinet
Q46
Parts of the executive branch include the President of the United States, the Cabinet, and federal departments and agencies.
Q47
The President’s Cabinet advises the President of the United States.
Q48
Cabinet-level positions
Any two Cabinet-level positions from the official list are accepted, such as the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. The list also includes the Vice-President and the Secretary of War (Defense).
Cabinet-level positions
Any two Cabinet-level positions from the official list are accepted, such as the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. The list also includes the Attorney General and the Vice President.
The Electoral College
Q49
The Electoral College is important because it decides who is elected president. It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
The Courts
Q50
Parts of the judicial branch include the Supreme Court and the Federal Courts.
Q51
The judicial branch reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law, and decides if a law goes against the U.S. Constitution.
The judicial branch reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements) and decides if a law goes against the Constitution.
Q52
The highest court in the United States is the Supreme Court.
Q53
There are nine (9) seats on the Supreme Court.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
- Number of justices on the Supreme Court
- Nine
Give the number of justices on the Supreme Court. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current number.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Q54
Usually five (5) Supreme Court justices are needed to decide a case.
Q55
Supreme Court justices serve for life — a lifetime appointment, or until retirement.
Q56
Supreme Court justices serve for life to be independent of politics and to limit outside political influence.
Q57
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
- Chief Justice of the United States
- John G. Roberts, Jr.
Name the Chief Justice of the United States serving at the time of your interview. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Federal and State Powers
Q58
Powers only for the federal government
Powers only for the federal government include: print paper money, mint coins, declare war, create an army, make treaties and set foreign policy.
Powers of the federal government include: to print money, to declare war, to create an army and to make treaties.
Q59
Powers only for the states
Powers only for the states include: provide schooling and education, provide protection (police), provide safety (fire departments), give a driver’s license and approve zoning and land use.
Q60
The 10th Amendment states that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Your State and the Political Parties
Q61
Who is the governor of your state now?
Answers will vary. Name the governor of your state. District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.
Choose your state at the top to see the answer for where you live.
Q62
What is the capital of your state?
Answers will vary. Name the capital of your state. District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.
Choose your state at the top to see the answer for where you live.
The two major political parties in the United States are Democratic and Republican.
What is the political party of the President now?
- Political party of the President
- Republican
Give the political party of the President serving at the time of your interview. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current answer.
Checked on October 21, 2026
Finished System of Government?
Rights and Responsibilities
Voting, citizenship and the duties shared by everyone in the United States
Voting Rights
Q63
The four voting amendments mean: citizens eighteen (18) and older can vote; you don’t have to pay a poll tax to vote; any citizen can vote (women and men can vote); and a male citizen of any race can vote.
Citizens must be eighteen (18) and older to vote for President.
Rights and Responsibilities Only for Citizens
Q64
Only citizens — citizens of the United States, or U.S. citizens — can vote in federal elections, run for federal office and serve on a jury.
Responsibilities only for United States citizens are to serve on a jury and vote in a federal election.
Rights only for United States citizens are to vote in a federal election and run for federal office.
Rights of Everyone Living in the United States
Q65
Rights of everyone living in the United States
Rights of everyone living in the United States include freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, freedom of religion and the right to bear arms.
The Pledge of Allegiance and the Oath of Allegiance
Q66
When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the United States and the flag.
Q67
Promises in the Oath of Allegiance
In the Oath of Allegiance, new citizens promise to give up loyalty to other countries, defend the U.S. Constitution, obey the laws of the United States, serve in the military if needed, serve (help, do important work for) the nation if needed and be loyal to the United States.
Promises you make when you become a United States citizen
When you become a United States citizen you promise to give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution and laws of the United States, obey the laws of the United States, serve in the U.S. military if needed, serve (do important work for) the nation if needed and be loyal to the United States.
Becoming a Citizen
Q68
People can become U.S. citizens in three ways: be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment; naturalize; or derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress).
Taking Part and Serving the Country
Q69
Examples of civic participation
Examples of civic participation include: vote, run for office, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, join a community group, give an elected official your opinion on an issue, contact elected officials, support or oppose an issue or policy and write to a newspaper.
Ways Americans can participate in their democracy
Ways Americans can participate in their democracy: vote, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, join a community group, give an elected official your opinion on an issue, call Senators and Representatives, publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, run for office and write to a newspaper.
Q70
Ways Americans can serve their country
Americans can serve their country when they vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve in the military, run for office, or work for local, state, or federal government.
Taxes and the Selective Service
Q71
It is important to pay federal taxes because it is required by law, all people pay to fund the federal government, it is required by the U.S. Constitution (16th Amendment), and it is a civic duty.
Q72
Men age 18 through 25 register for the Selective Service because it is required by law, it is a civic duty, and it makes the draft fair, if needed.
All men must register for the Selective Service at age eighteen (18) — between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26).
The last day you can send in federal income tax forms is April 15.
Finished Rights and Responsibilities?
Colonial Period and Independence
From the first peoples and the colonies to independence and the Constitution
The First Peoples and the Colonists
Q73
Reasons colonists came to America
Colonists came to America for freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity and to escape persecution.
Reasons colonists came to America
Colonists came to America for freedom, political liberty, religious freedom and economic opportunity, to practice their religion, and to escape persecution.
Q74
American Indians (Native Americans) lived in America before the Europeans arrived.
Slavery in America
Q75
Africans — people from Africa — were taken and sold as slaves.
The American Revolution
Q76
Americans won independence from Britain in the American Revolution — the American Revolutionary War, or War for American Independence.
Q77
Reasons the Americans declared independence from Britain
Reasons include high taxes, taxation without representation, British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering), they did not have self-government, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party (Tea Act), the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, the Townshend Acts and the Intolerable (Coercive) Acts.
The colonists fought the British because of high taxes (taxation without representation), because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) and because they didn’t have self-government.
Q80
Important events of the American Revolution
Important events of the American Revolution include the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton), the Battle of Saratoga, the Valley Forge Encampment and the Battle of Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown).
Writing the Declaration of Independence
The 13 Original States
Q81
The 13 original states
The 13 original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
The Constitution and the Federalist Papers
Q82
The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787.
Q83
The writers of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Publius is also accepted.
Q84
The Federalist Papers were important because they helped people understand the U.S. Constitution and they supported passing the U.S. Constitution.
At the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution was written — the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
The Founders
Q85
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin founded the first free public libraries, was the first Postmaster General of the United States, helped write the Declaration of Independence, and was an inventor and a U.S. diplomat.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is famous as a U.S. diplomat, the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, the first Postmaster General of the United States, the writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, and because he started the first free libraries.
Q86
George Washington
George Washington is famous as the “Father of Our Country”, the first president of the United States, the General of the Continental Army and the President of the Constitutional Convention.
Q87
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the writer of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. He doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase), was the first Secretary of State, founded the University of Virginia, and was the writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom.
Q88
James Madison
James Madison is the “Father of the Constitution” and the fourth president of the United States. He was president during the War of 1812 and one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.
Q89
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury and one of the writers of the Federalist Papers. He helped establish the First Bank of the United States, was an aide to General George Washington, and a member of the Continental Congress.
Finished Colonial Period and Independence?
The 1800s
Expansion, the Civil War and the fight for equal rights
The Louisiana Purchase
Q90
In 1803 the United States bought the Louisiana Territory (Louisiana) from France.
Wars of the 1800s
Q91
Wars fought by the United States in the 1800s include the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
The Civil War
Q92
The U.S. war between the North and the South was the Civil War.
The U.S. war between the North and the South is the Civil War, also called the War between the States.
Q93
Important events of the Civil War
Important events of the Civil War include the Battle of Fort Sumter, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Vicksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg, Sherman’s March, the Surrender at Appomattox, the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg, and that Lincoln was assassinated.
Q96
The Civil War ended slavery.
Problems that led to the Civil War include slavery, economic reasons and states’ rights.
Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
Q94
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved (or preserved) the Union and led the United States during the Civil War. He was the 16th president of the United States and delivered the Gettysburg Address.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved (or preserved) the Union and led the United States during the Civil War.
Q95
The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves. It freed slaves in the Confederacy — freed slaves in the Confederate states and freed slaves in most Southern states.
Citizenship and Voting After the Civil War
Women’s Rights in the 1800s
Q99
Leaders of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s
Leaders of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s include Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott and Lucy Stone.
Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights and fought for civil rights.
Finished The 1800s?
Recent American History
The world wars, the Cold War, civil rights and the modern United States
Wars of the 1900s
Q100
Wars fought by the United States in the 1900s
Wars fought by the United States in the 1900s include World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War.
World War I and the Right to Vote for Women
Q101
The United States entered World War I because Germany attacked U.S. civilian ships, to support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia) and to oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria).
Q102
All women got the right to vote in 1920, after World War I, with the 19th Amendment.
Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I.
The Great Depression and World War II
Q103
The Great Depression was the longest economic recession in modern history.
Q104
The Great Depression started with the Great Crash (1929) — the stock market crash of 1929.
Q105
Franklin Roosevelt was president during the Great Depression and World War II.
Q106
The United States entered World War II because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor — the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor — to support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia) and to oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).
In World War II the United States fought Japan, Germany, and Italy.
Dwight Eisenhower
Q107
Dwight Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower was a general during World War II, president at the end of (during) the Korean War and the 34th president of the United States. He signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (created the Interstate System).
The Cold War, Korea and Vietnam
Q108
The United States’ main rival during the Cold War was the Soviet Union (USSR, Russia).
Q109
During the Cold War, main concerns of the United States were communism and nuclear war.
Q110
The United States entered the Korean War to stop the spread of communism.
Q111
The United States entered the Vietnam War to stop the spread of communism.
The Civil Rights Movement
Q112
The civil rights movement fought to end racial discrimination.
Q113
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for civil rights, worked for equality for all Americans, and worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”.
The Persian Gulf War, September 11 and After
Q114
The United States entered the Persian Gulf War to force the Iraqi military from Kuwait.
Q115
On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the United States. Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City. Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
Q116
U.S. military conflicts after the September 11, 2001 attacks include the Global War on Terror, the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq.
American Indian Tribes
Q117
American Indian tribes in the United States
American Indian tribes in the United States include the Apache, Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Seminole and others in the official list. For a complete list of tribes, visit bia.gov.
For a complete list of tribes, please visit bia.gov.
American Indian tribes in the United States
American Indian tribes in the United States include the Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Apache, Seminole and others in the official list. USCIS Officers are supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.
USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.
American Innovation
Q118
Examples of American innovation
Examples of American innovation include the light bulb, the automobile (cars, internal combustion engine), skyscrapers, the airplane, the assembly line, landing on the moon and the integrated circuit (IC).
Key dates from the civics questions
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence adopted
1787
U.S. Constitution written
1803
United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France
1870
All men got the right to vote — 15th Amendment
1920
All women got the right to vote — 19th Amendment
1929
Stock market crash — the Great Depression started
September 11, 2001
Terrorists attacked the United States
Finished Recent American History?
Geography
The rivers, oceans, territories and borders of the United States
Rivers and Oceans
The two longest rivers in the United States are the Missouri River and the Mississippi River.
The Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast of the United States.
The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast of the United States.
U.S. Territories
U.S. territories
U.S. territories are Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
States on the Borders
States that border Canada
States that border Canada are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alaska.
States that border Mexico are California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Finished Geography?
Symbols
The capital, the flag and the national symbols of the United States
The Capital and the Statue of Liberty
The Flag
The National Anthem
Q123
The name of the national anthem is The Star-Spangled Banner.
The Nation’s First Motto
Q124
“E Pluribus Unum” means out of many, one — we all become one.
Finished Symbols?
Holidays
Independence Day and the national holidays of the United States
Independence Day
Q125
Independence Day is a holiday to celebrate U.S. independence from Britain — the country’s birthday.
We celebrate Independence Day on July 4.
National Holidays
Q126
National U.S. holidays
National U.S. holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
National U.S. holidays
National U.S. holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Finished Holidays?
This is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government body. Facts are drawn from the official USCIS civics test questions and answers: 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), and Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test (rev. 01/19). Works of the U.S. government are not subject to copyright.
Up to date as of October 21, 2026: checked against the official USCIS civics test questions and answers.