(Encyclopedia) Dallas, Alexander JamesDallas, Alexander Jamesdălˈəs [key], 1759–1817, U.S. secretary of the treasury (1814–16), b. Jamaica, West Indies. He went (1783) to Philadelphia, practiced law…
(Encyclopedia) canarycanarykənârˈē [key], common name for a familiar cage bird of the family Ploceidae (Old World finch family), descended from either the wild serin finch or from the very similar…
In April 2004, the U.S. Treasury unveiled its latest redesigned bill: the $50. The new bill features splashes of red and blue, in addition to the black and green ink found on other bills. The…
(Encyclopedia) garden, land set aside for the cultivation of flowers, herbs, vegetables, or small fruits, for either utility or ornament. Gardens range in size from window boxes and small dooryard…
(Encyclopedia) Dressler, Marie, 1869–1934, American actress, b. Coburg, Ont., Canada. She appeared on stage and in vaudeville before making her first film, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914). Although…
(Encyclopedia) Pownall, ThomasPownall, Thomaspouˈnəl [key], 1722–1805, English colonial governor in North America. In 1753 he went to New York as secretary to Sir Danvers Osborn, newly appointed…
Supreme Court Related Links How a Bill Becomes a LawThree Branches of GovernmentChecks and Balances Sometimes, senators try to defeat a bill by filibustering. This is when a…
The system of checks and balances is an important part of the Constitution. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one…