Latest Episodes
A treaty is a written agreement between two or more nations. But who enforces them?
Most know about Paul Revere's midnight ride, but 16-year-old Sybil Ludington's was 3 times farther!
Despite being outnumbered, under-funded, and under-trained, the patriots managed to claim victory.
The American Revolution fractured Indigenous nations.
How a few emboldened colonists created the United States behind closed doors.
Invisible ink, secret codes, and dirty laundry helped the patriots turn the tide of the Revolution.
There are many rooms in The White House, but only one specifically designed for times of crisis.
How much power does your local government REALLY have?
Social Security is a massive, complex system that touches the lives of nearly every American.
Can you imagine what the United States would be like without the National Park Service?
The debt ceiling, much like ranch dressing or hamburgers, is a uniquely American invention.
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the U.S. But why do we even have it in the first place?
While Blue Origin and Space X make headlines, NASA remains as a leader of academic space research.
Billionaires pay less in taxes than ever before, but how do they do it?
Learn how America's first Black congresswoman broke barriers and ran for president against all odds.
Online you may see arguments that the United States isn't a democracy. Are these claims valid?
We know how Trump won, but how did other outsiders like James Garfield and Lincoln become president?
Why do some states have citizen-initiated ballot measures, and others don't?
Hear the arguments for and against this idea in this episode of Simple Civics!
What does it take to pass an Amendment? Find out in this episode of Simple Civics!
Elected officials are getting older in the US. Should there be an age limit?
How does ranked choice voting work, and could it increase trust in our election system?
Explore ways you can spot false election information and avoid spreading it to others.
Why do presidents tend to lose seats in congress during midterm elections?
From overseeing departments to cutting ribbons, let's explore what exactly a mayor does.
Explore how judges are selected and why you should care about the process.
In many states a felony conviction means you lose your right to vote, sometimes forever.
Explore some of the key differences between our state and federal justice systems.
TV and movies have made these essential rights common knowledge. What do they really mean?
Learn how Political Action Committees or PACS, fund candidates and causes they support.
The U.S. has a reputation for fair and free elections…and a history of excluding voters.
Learn how different kinds of voting machines help keep our elections accurate and secure.
Referendums give everyday citizens the power to directly shape our society.
Here are a few Dos and Don’ts when you’re making your big decision.
Words have had the power to educate, motivate, and inspire throughout history.
The period known as reconstruction brought both victories and losses for civil rights.
Senator Birch Bayh's final piece of landmark legislation is known as the Bayh-Dole Act.
Title IX is known for expanding women's sports, but its effects are far-reaching.
Senator Birch Bayh helped pass the 26th Amendment, giving 18 year-olds the right to vote
Explore how the 25th amendment cleared confusion about the transfer of presidential power.
Do filibusters foster bipartisan cooperation? Or stop democracy in its tracks?
Does the demographic makeup of congress match the diversity of the American population?
Long before Europeans arrived in the U.S., Native Americans had sophisticated governments.
U.S. Presidents since George Washington have used executive orders to move their agenda.
There are a few reasons why Latino voters continue to surprise political analysts.
Meet three trailblazing Hispanic leaders both past and present who have shaped our country
Learn what happens in the days between the presidential election and inauguration day.
The Electoral College is used to decide presidential elections in the United States.
Replacing a Supreme Court justice is no easy feat.
Debates are a staple of the election cycle these days, but that wasn't always the case.
Dr. Terri Jett shares the history of the Electoral College and calls for a new system.
It costs a lot of money to run any campaign for office, especially the presidency.
There's a reason some political districts seem to only elect members of one party.
What would it take to make Washington, D.C. an official state?
Every 10 years, the U.S. embarks on a daunting task: count every resident in the country.
What did it look like when only certain groups of people were able to vote?
A lot has changed for women in America since the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Women have been running for the nation's highest office well before they had the right to.
Caucuses have been used to decide elections throughout U.S. history, but how do they work?
The U.S. has not needed a draft lottery since 1973, but what would it look like today?
The first amendment becomes more complicated during times of war.
Can you run for president from prison? The answer may surprise you.
Extras
Civics doesn’t have to be complicated, so let’s make it simple!