U.S. Facts and Statistics
Explore key information about the United States, including its history, leaders, national symbols, holidays, and more. Below is an overview of resources and topics:
The American flag and other national symbols
Get the facts about the U.S. flag and when to fly it at half staff. Learn about other national symbols.
History of the American flag
The flag of the United States is a symbol of freedom before which Americans recite the pledge of allegiance.
The flag's 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue background represent the 50 states.
Each of the colors on the flag has a meaning:
Red: valor and bravery
White: purity and innocence
Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
A star is added to the flag when a new state joins the United States. The flag was last modified on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii was incorporated as a state.
Learn more about the evolution of the American flag and its earlier designs.
How to raise the flag
Follow these guidelines to properly display the American flag [PDF, 162KB].
When to fly the flag at half-staff
The American flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the country or a state is in mourning. The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.
In most cases, an American flag flying at half-staff marks one of three observances:
The death of a government official, military member, or emergency first responder
A national tragedy
Memorial Day or another national day of remembrance
The Great Seal
The Great Seal of the United States is a national symbol used in official documents such as treaties and commissions. The final design was approved in 1782 and includes a bald eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto E Pluribus Unum (which translates to "out of many, one") and a constellation of stars.
Learn more about the Great Seal.
The bald eagle
The bald eagle was designated as the national emblem by the U.S. Congress in 1782. Since then, it can be found on official documents, the presidential flag, the Great Seal, military insignia, and coins and bills. Learn more about the bald eagle [PDF, 66KB].
History of the American flag
The flag of the United States is a symbol of freedom before which Americans recite the pledge of allegiance.
The flag's 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue background represent the 50 states.
Each of the colors on the flag has a meaning:
Red: valor and bravery
White: purity and innocence
Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
A star is added to the flag when a new state joins the United States. The flag was last modified on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii was incorporated as a state.
Learn more about the evolution of the American flag and its earlier designs.
How to raise the flag
Follow these guidelines to properly display the American flag [PDF, 162KB].
When to fly the flag at half-staff
The American flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the country or a state is in mourning. The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.
In most cases, an American flag flying at half-staff marks one of three observances:
The death of a government official, military member, or emergency first responder
A national tragedy
Memorial Day or another national day of remembrance
The Great Seal
The Great Seal of the United States is a national symbol used in official documents such as treaties and commissions. The final design was approved in 1782 and includes a bald eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto E Pluribus Unum (which translates to "out of many, one") and a constellation of stars.
Learn more about the Great Seal.
The bald eagle
The bald eagle was designated as the national emblem by the U.S. Congress in 1782. Since then, it can be found on official documents, the presidential flag, the Great Seal, military insignia, and coins and bills. Learn more about the bald eagle [PDF, 66KB].
Presidents, Vice Presidents, and First Ladies
Understand the roles and responsibilities of the president, vice president, and first lady. Access information on current and past leaders, including how to contact them.
The current president, vice president, and first lady do not have public, direct telephone numbers. Find out how you can contact the White House.
Order of Presidential Succession
Find out what happens if a president is unable to fulfill their duties and the specific order in which responsibilities are passed to other leaders.
The U.S. Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 outline the presidential order of succession. The line of succession of cabinet officers is in the order of their agencies’ creation.
The U.S. National Anthem
Learn the story behind the Star-Spangled Banner and how it became the national anthem of the United States.
See the lyrics and learn more about the Star-Spangled Banner.
American Holidays
Discover the 12 federal holidays recognized in the U.S. and learn about other state and cultural holidays celebrated across the country.
New Year's Day (January 1)
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Third Monday in January)
Inauguration Day (January 20, every 4 years following a presidential election)
Washington's Birthday (Also known as Presidents Day; third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Official Language of the United States
Find out whether the U.S. has an official language and learn about the diverse languages spoken across the nation.
Learn more about the languages spoken in the United States.
American Money
Get information about U.S. currency, including the design and denominations of the bills and coins used throughout the country and its territories.
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing creates U.S. paper currency. Learn about paper money and how to recognize counterfeit currency.
U.S. coins
United States coins denominations include 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1.
Learn about U.S. coins, how they are made, and their history from the U.S. Mint.
Historical Documents
Explore the United States’ founding documents, collectively known as the Charters of Freedom.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that the American colonies were separating from British rule, and detailed the reasons. On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence, marking July 4 as Independence Day. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author, drafted the document in 17 days.
U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States set up the foundation of the U.S. government, including its purpose and structure. The Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments (changes) to the U.S. Constitution. It guarantees greater protection for individual freedoms and lists specific limits on government power. The Constitution has 27 amendments in all.
U.S. Census Data
Learn about the U.S. Census, how population data is collected and used, and search for detailed information about your state, county, or city.
The U.S. Census Bureau provides data about the nation’s people and economy. Every 10 years, it conducts a census counting every resident in the United States. The most recent census was in 2020.
Who must participate?
By law, all U.S. residents are required to take part in the census. To protect people’s privacy, all personal information collected by the census is confidential for 72 years.
Find Census data
Use Census QuickFacts to search for your state, county, or city’s census data. Learn about your state's nickname, top businesses, and more with Census State Facts for Students.
How population data affects your area
Your census response can help determine how much federal funding your community gets. This affects public services like hospitals, fire departments, and schools.
Leaders also use census population data to divide the seats in state legislatures and in the U.S. House of Representatives.
See how the 2020 Census changed representation in the House.
The Federal Budget Process
Understand the process of creating the federal budget, from the president’s budget proposal to Congress’s work in drafting and approving funding bills.
Get a more in-depth look at the federal budget process.
To track how government agencies and programs use this budgeted money, visit USAspending.gov.