State of the Union

State of the Union- an annuak address presented by the President of the US to the US Congress. Reports on the condition of the nation and allows the President to outline his legislative agenda and his national priorities. Every President since Woodrow Wilson has made the State of the Union as a speech to Congress.
     In Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution it states, "That a President will from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."

Historical Peoples Activities: George Washington was the first President to give the State of the Union. He gave it on January 8, 1790 in New York City. Thomas Jefferson discontinued the practice of delivering the address in person. Instead it was written and then sent to Congress to be read by a clerk until 1913 when Woodrow Wilson re-established the practice despite some initial controversy. The last person to write a letter was Jimmy Carter in 1981.

Current Event: This month President Obama gave the annual State of the Union speech. He was talking about what he looks to change and to accomplish this year. He really spoke to adults and also students. He made the speech "kid friendly". He talked about many economical matters and political matters. At the speech, Republicans and Democrats sat side by side instead as the usual seperation. Since the death of the Congress woman in Arizonia, Obama has set out for equality in Politics.

Opinion: I feel that Obama really spoke, not just to reach out to Parents or Grandparents, but spoke to Teenagers too. I understood what he was really getting at. I've never watched the Sate of the Union before, but I think he did a great job with this years.

Questions: Have previous State of the Unions been "kid friendly" like this years?
                           I wonder what George Washingtons first Sate of the Union speech was like?







Links:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fqx0sUk9I8
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Union_address