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Civics 101

King holiday was decades in the making

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. But the King holiday is marked every year on the third Monday in January.

Jan 20, 2020 at 2:15 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes Tuesday

The General Assembly is made up of the Tennessee Senate and the Tennessee House of Representatives

Jan 13, 2020 at 2:00 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Tennessee's First Congressional District

To seek or hold the office of U.S. House of Representative, a person must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States for seven years and a Tennessee resident.

Jan 6, 2020 at 5:30 PM
josborne
Civics 101

How much do you know about our federal holidays?

Does Congress have the authority to declare “national holidays?”

Dec 23, 2019 at 2:30 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Do you know your Bill of Rights?

The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans' most valued freedoms.

Dec 16, 2019 at 3:15 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Upcoming primaries include some local offices

The county offices, other than school board, for which a primary is held is determined by the Sullivan County Republican and Democratic Party.

Dec 9, 2019 at 3:12 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Thursday marks anniversary of end of prohibition

Some celebrate Dec. 5 as Repeal Day, because Prohibition — which outlawed alcohol — was ended by a constitutional amendment which repealed an earlier amendment. The 21st Amendment’s repeal of the 18th Amendment is the only time such an instance has occurred in the nation’s history.

Dec 2, 2019 at 3:15 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: National Native American Heritage Month

Not until 1924 were all Native Americans granted citizenship. Before this juncture, only individuals who were members of federally recognized tribes and “naturalized” individuals were given the rights of a United States citizen.

Nov 18, 2019 at 3:15 PM
josborne
Veterans Day

Did you know Veterans Day began as Armistice Day?

Armistice Day was first marked in 1919, one year after WWI fighting ceased. It became a national holiday in 1938 and was transformed to Veterans Day in 1954 in order to honor American veterans of all wars. 

Nov 11, 2019 at 9:27 AM
josborne
Civics 101

What role is assigned to the Senate in impeachment proceedings?

Last week in Civics 101 we looked at the U.S. House of Representatives’ role in impeachment. This week we turn to the U.S. Senate’s role: “a High Court of Impeachment in which senators consider evidence, hear witnesses, and vote to acquit or convict ...”

Nov 4, 2019 at 2:18 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Constitution gives House sole power to impeach official

“The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” — U.S. Constitution, Article II, section 4

Oct 28, 2019 at 2:40 PM
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State Address Monday, March 4, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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Civics 101

Gov. Bill Lee launches civics program, grants available

The application window opens Friday and closes on Friday, Dec. 6. The department will be offering an online training beginning Thursday to provide more information to districts and schools on the Governor’s Civics Seal and associated mini-grants. 

Oct 21, 2019 at 5:30 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: What is Robert's Rules of Order?

Sullivan County commissioners mulling “update” to local rules on how county meetings are conducted, and some commissioners have voiced a lack of interest in Robert’s Rules of Order.

Oct 14, 2019 at 3:30 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Private acts under Tennessee law

Among laws passed by the General Assembly, public acts are applicable to all jurisdictions. Private acts generally have local application only.

Sep 23, 2019 at 5:30 PM
josborne
Civics 101

Civics 101: Tennessee's state tree

The tulip poplar was chosen “because it grows from one end of the state to the other” and “was extensively used by the pioneers of the state to construct houses, barns, and other necessary farm buildings.”

Sep 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM
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