A. Bill's trail of clues begins with one of the most important documents in the history of the United States, the Constitution. The Constitution is the basis for all law in the United States of America. You can read the Constitution online at the Web site of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Where does A. Bill begin his search for information about federal holidays?

A. Bill starts at the source! A. Bill reads the Constitution and finds that Article I, Section 5 calls for Congress to keep a journal of everything that happens in both the House and the Senate:

Article I, Section 5 Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House, on any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

Now A. Bill knows that the both the House and the Senate have kept records of everything that has happened in Congress since its first session in 1774! A. Bill can research the congressional records to find information on the federal holidays.

Since the Constitution allows citizens access to house floor proceedings, we can learn about laws and the legislative process by reading the records kept by the U.S. House of Representatives since its opening session.

Onto Clue 2: House Journal . . .