United States
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal republic with a strong federal tradition
- CONSTITUTION
- September 17, 1787, in effect from March 4, 1789
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- federal court system based on English common law. Each state has its own legal system
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts; state and county courts
RELIGIONS
51.3% Protestants; 23.9% Catholics; 1.7% Mormons; 1.6% other Christians; 1.7% Jews; 0.7% Muslims; other unspecified or no religion
From the country
- JANUARY 22, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International demanded access to the al Qaeda...
Amnesty International demanded access to the al Qaeda and Taliban suspects held by the United States at Camp X-ray on Cuba
- JANUARY 18, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
There has been speculation - it is nothing more - that...
There has been speculation - it is nothing more - that David Hicks, the Australian captured in battle against the Taliban and al-Qa'ida, could be condemned to death by US military tribunal
- JANUARY 17, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International released a new report, "Arbitrary,...
Amnesty International released a new report, "Arbitrary, Discriminatory, and Cruel: An aide-mémoire to 25 Years of Judicial Killing," a report marking the 25th anniversary of the resumption of executions in the U
- JANUARY 15, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The Bush administration will charge American Taliban...
The Bush administration will charge American Taliban John Walker Lindh with conspiracy to kill U
- JANUARY 15, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Geoff Hoon, the defence secretary, said the transfer...
Geoff Hoon, the defence secretary, said the transfer of British nationals suspected of fighting with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan to Cuba was legal but they had to be treated "with proper respect for international law
- JANUARY 15, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The Bush administration will charge American Taliban...
The Bush administration will charge American Taliban John Walker Lindh with conspiracy to kill U
- JANUARY 15, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
UK Home Secretary Jack Straw warned US authorities...
UK Home Secretary Jack Straw warned US authorities not to execute British citizens suspected of fighting for Osama bin Laden
- JANUARY 14, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Three British al-Qaeda fighters are facing the death penalty
Three British al-Qaeda fighters are facing the death penalty
- JANUARY 13, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Germany has issued international arrest warrants for...
Germany has issued international arrest warrants for three alleged accomplices of the September 11 hijackers
- JANUARY 9, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
A U.S. congressman said that China's indictment of...
A U.S. congressman said that China's indictment of a Hong Kong Bibletrader was another reminder human rights abuses remained an obstacle in Sino-U
- JANUARY 9, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
A divided US Supreme Court underscored its view that...
A divided US Supreme Court underscored its view that jurors choosing between a death sentence and a life term in prison should be told if the convicted killer has no chance of parole
- JANUARY 8, 2002United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Beijing said a Hong Kong trader arrested in July had...
Beijing said a Hong Kong trader arrested in July had been transporting bibles into China as cover for secretly importing banned booklets associated with an "evil cult"