Learning Center
The construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford officially began when the Navy signed a contract with a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. The company would not only build the carrier, but design it as well. However, three years prior in 2005, Northrop had agreed to begin "advance construction" of an aircraft carrier.
Learning Center
In 1919, a Christmas tree was purchased for the U.S. Capitol Grounds. However, there are no other records discussing a procedure used to select and decorate the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, and it wasn't until the 1960s that a protocol was adopted in order to provide a tree for the Capitol Grounds.
Learning Center
Only nine members of Congress have full-time state-funded security. The members are the majority leaders of the upper and lower house, the minority leaders of the upper and lower house, the majority whip of the houses, the minority whip of the houses, and the speaker of the house.