The American Civil War was a four-year armed conflict between northern and southern sections of the United States. It also is called the War Between the States, the War of the Rebellion, the War for the Union, and the War for Southern Independence.

Uniforms of the Union Army.

The Civil War cost more American lives than any other war in history.

The North far surpassed the South in population, wealth, industrial capacity, and natural resources.

The U.S. Constitution has 4,543 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. It contains 7,591 words including the 27 amendments.

Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17, the anniversary of the day the framers signed the document.

The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey (26).

December 28, 2009 — The health care bill approved by the Senate last week will cost some much more than others. Larger employers would be affected differently than small companies and self-employed would be affected differently than seniors on Medicare.