Happens once a year: The State of the Union Address is the president’s annual message to Congress, generally given in January or February – although often presidents don’t give one in their first year of office.
It’s rooted in the Constitution: The president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient”, the constitution says.
Key issues facing US: The president typically addresses the top issues, sets out his political agenda, makes a plea for new laws and policies, and also highlights some of what he considers major achievements.
This is the 99th: There have been a total of 99 in-person State of the Union addresses. Some presidents have delivered their messages in writing. Next year will be a big year – the 100th – but we don’t yet know who’ll be giving it.
Oh, and by the way: We’re going to use shorthand to describe the State of the Union – which you’ll see referred to as SOTU – largely to save our fingers and bring you updates even quicker.