to accept or choose.

Example:  The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

A change or addition, especially to the Constitution.

There are 27 amendments to the Constitution.

A short name for the country with the official name The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  It is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Also called the United Kingdom or the U.K.

The 13 original states of the U.S. were colonies of Britain before they declared independence in 1776.

a person who is competing to be elected to a government office.

Example:  There are two major candidates for President:  Barack Obama and John McCain.

a person who goes to live in a colony.

Example:  Many colonists came to America for religious freedom.

a country or region that is controlled by a more powerful, and often far away, country.

Example:  Virginia was the first British colony in America.

a large formal meeting of people.

Example:  The Republican National Convention was held in St. Paul in September, 2008.

at the present time (now), or the most recent.

Example:  The current Governor of Minnesota is Tim Pawlenty.  (He is Governor now.)

to discuss (talk about) a subject in a formal way; to argue about something by giving different opinions about it.

Example:  The presidential candidates will debate their plans for improving the economy.