We the People. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All men are created equal. Freedom of the press. Trial by jury. The United States is the oldest continuous democracy in the world, and a model and inspiration for other nations seeking to build democratic institutions.

The ideals expressed at the founding of the United States, a great experiment in freedom and democracy, have continued to evolve for more than 250 years. Join us as we explore how America’s government began and how it functions today.