250 Years of Public Finance in America
How Americans Funded and Built the Nation
From the Revolutionary bonds of 1776 to the Digital economy today, discovery the fiscal history that built our Nation.
Did you know?
Fast Fiscal Facts
Continental Currency
The term “Not worth a Continental” comes from the extreme inflation of the first US paper money in 1775.
First Income Tax
Abraham Lincoln signed the first income tax in 1861 to help fund the American Civil War.
The $1,000 Bill
High denomination bills, like the $1,000 bill, were last printed in 1945, and discontinued in 1969.
16th Amendment
Ratified in 1913, gave Congress the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes without apportionment.
Civic Engagement
Active Learning for All Americans
Whiskey Rebellion
Dont mess with people that drink whiskey!
Top 100 Building Events
The Top 100 publicly financed events that built our Nation.
Public Finance IQ
Test your knowledge of the fiscal events that built our Nation.
Liberty Bonds
How Citizens funded World War I
For Educators and Institutions
250 Years of Public Finance Toolkit
Downloadable tools for Professionals, Libraries, Schools, and Community Civic organizations.
Educators Guide
Complete teaching guide with lesson plans, and student materials.
Presenter Deck
A complete narrative slide deck tracing US Public Finance from 1776 – 2026.
GFL Civic Education
FAQs for Highschool & College students on Public Finance.
Public Finance History
Explore America’s Public Finance Eras
Explore each Era of Public Finance, learn about the history, the events, and public finance that built our Nation.
Colonial Era
American Revolutionary Era
New Nation Era
National Expansion & Reform
Civil War & Reconstruction
Rise of Industrial America
Progressive to New Era
Great Depression and WW II
Post War Era
Modern Era
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