Government documents in U.S. History
Government Documents tell the story of the United States, its people, laws, and regulations.
To browse UNT Libraries' government documents collection visit the Sycamore Library at Sycamore Hall. If you have questions about the physical collections or need assistance location government information or data, please contact the Government Information Librarian or the Government Information Connection.
A Few Historical U.S. Government Documents
- Our Documents100 milestone documents of American History.
- America's Historical DocumentsA collection of historical documents from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
- U.S. History and Historical DocumentsUSA.gov invites you to discover highlights from American history, including military events and founding documents.
- Reference Books on the Civil WarA selective list of books about the Civil War compiled by NARA.
- NASA HistoryDiscover the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and the history of American space flight.
- U.S. Army Center of Military HistoryCMH collects the history of the U.S. Army and military for use by historians and researchers as well as to advise current military operations.
Historical Census and other Statistics
Article I of the U.S. Constitution requires an enumeration of the U.S. population, or census, every 10 years for the purpose of determining the number of congressional delegates per state. Over the years, the U.S. census has expanded to inform more than just congressional delegation. The U.S. government offers 6 statistical agencies in addition to the Census Bureau, all of which inform policy, regulation and a broad understanding of the United States.
The United States Census
The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
- The Historical Census books located in the Government Documents reference collection include: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970. This includes general historical statistics of the United States. Call number C3.134/2:H62/789-970/pt.1-22. .
Other historical government data
Here is a selection of resources to explore historical government data.
- FRASER from the St. Louis FedFRASER is a digital library of U.S. economic, financial, and banking history—particularly the history of the Federal Reserve System.
- Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe BLS has been collecting and compiling data since 1884. The data tells the story of America's labor force and how we spend our money.
- National Agricultural LibraryThe National Agricultural Library is one of five national libraries of the United States and houses one of the world's largest collections devoted to agriculture and its related sciences.
- National Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations.
- U.S. Energy Information AdministrationThe U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.