02/23/1866 |
"Copperhead" Democrat Daniel Voorhees of Indiana is removed from his congressional seat |
Campaigns/Elections |
04/22/1862 |
A congressional committee reports that Senator Benjamin Stark of Oregon is a southern sympathizer |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/13/1866 |
A deadly letter bomb sent to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field at the Capitol is defused safely |
Crime/Disasters |
03/04/1847 to 03/03/1849 |
Abraham Lincoln serves a single term in the United States House of Representatives |
Legal/Political |
03/04/1861 |
Abraham Lincoln takes the oath as the sixteenth President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/21/1865 |
At eight o'clock in the morning President Lincoln begins his twelve-day journey home from Washington D.C. |
Personal |
05/31/1864 |
At the U.S. Capitol, debate begins in the House on the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/13/1866 |
At the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives passes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/02/1866 |
At the U.S. Capitol, the Senate passes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/15/1864 |
At the U.S. Capitol, the vote in the House on the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution fails |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/24/1844 |
Commercial telegraph service inaugurated in Washington, D.C. |
Business/Industry |
02/27/1861 |
Congress authorizes the first stamped newspaper-wrappers |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/28/1866 |
Congress authorizes the size and structure of the peacetime U.S. Army of 76,000 men. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/15/1860 |
Controversial nominee for District Attorney of California confirmed in the U.S. Senate on party lines |
Campaigns/Elections |
12/21/1848 |
Daniel Gott of New York introduces his resolution to ban slavery in the District of Columbia |
Slavery/Abolition |
02/22/1861 |
Edward Payson Weston sets off to walk from Boston to Washington DC to pay off an election bet |
Education/Culture |
03/04/1861 |
Edward Payson Weston, having walked from Boston, arrives in Washington DC four hours late |
Education/Culture |
12/24/1851 |
Fire at the U.S. Capitol destroys valuable books and artifacts |
Cultural |
07/20/1866 |
Governor Crawford of Kansas appoints Edmund Ross to succeed James H. Lane in the U.S. Senate. |
Campaigns/Elections |
03/04/1861 |
Hannibal Hamlin takes the oath as fifteenth Vice President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/11/1860 |
House of Representatives passes the Kansas Statehood Bill and sends it to the Senate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/02/1865 |
House Republicans vote to set up a joint committee to determine the suitability of Southern representation |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/10/1866 |
In Columbus, Ohio, Lambdin P. Milligan walks free after almost two years in prison |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/22/1861 |
In Congress, John J. Crittenden introduces his half of a resolution limiting Union war aims |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/09/1864 |
In Congress, Representative Harris of Maryland is immediately censured for disloyal comments in debate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/14/1864 |
In Congress, Representative Long of Ohio is censured for suggesting the recognition of the Confederacy |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
11/27/1866 |
In Little Rock, the Arkansas legislature chooses the famous Methodist Andrew Hunter as U.S. Senator |
Campaigns/Elections |
07/19/1866 |
In Nashville, a special session of the Tennessee Legislature votes to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
10/09/1866 |
In Nebraska Territory, John Taffe is elected to become the first U.S. Representative from the new state. |
Campaigns/Elections |
12/19/1859 |
In the hotly contested election for Speaker of the House, Thomas Bocock withdraws |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/21/1859 |
In the hotly contested Speaker's election, Democrat John Millson of Virginia comes to within eighteen votes of success |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/24/1861 |
In the Senate, Andrew Johnson introduces his half of the joint resolution limiting Union war aims |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/10/1866 |
In the U.S. Senate, Henry Wilson of Massachusetts proposes the size of the peacetime Army |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/31/1860 |
In the U.S. Senate, packed galleries cheer Senator Benjamin of Louisiana's defiant speech |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1864 |
In the U.S. Senate. Kentuckian Garrett Davis proposes combining six New England states into just two. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/27/1860 |
In the United States Senate, Albert G. Brown of Mississippi insists on the definition of slaves as property |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/14/1865 |
In Washington D.C., the House names its nine members of the new Joint Committee on Reconstruction |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/31/1865 |
In Washington D.C., the House of Representatives passes the Thirteen Amendment outlawing slavery |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/11/1862 |
In Washington D.C., the House passes the bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/21/1865 |
In Washington D.C., the U.S. Senate names its six members of the new Joint Committee on Reconstruction |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/23/1864 |
In Washington D.C., the U.S. Senate votes to repeal all remaining Federal Fugitive Slave Acts |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1841 |
In Washington DC, the 26th Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1843 |
In Washington DC, the 27th Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1847 |
In Washington DC, the 29th Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1849 |
In Washington DC, the 30th Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1851 |
In Washington DC, the 31st Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1853 |
In Washington DC, the 32nd Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1855 |
In Washington DC, the 33rd Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Legal/Political |
07/19/1867 |
In Washington, Congress passes the Third Military Reconstruction Bill, over President Johnson's veto. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/27/1866 |
In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Senate authorizes use of the metric system in government departments. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/24/1866 |
In Washington, DC, Tennessee is readmitted to full representation the United States Congress |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/10/1869 |
In Washington, DC, the 41st Congress of the United States ends its first session |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1869 |
In Washington, DC, the 41st Congress of the United States opens its second session |
Legal/Political |
04/20/1871 |
In Washington, DC, the 42nd Congress ends its first session. |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1873 |
In Washington, DC, the 42nd Congress ends its third session and finishes its term |
Legal/Political |
06/10/1872 |
In Washington, DC, the 42nd Congress of the United States ends its second session |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1875 |
In Washington, DC, the 43rd Congress ends its second session and finishes its term |
Legal/Political |
06/23/1874 |
In Washington, DC, the 43rd Congress of the United States ends its first session |
Legal/Political |
08/15/1876 |
In Washington, DC, the 44th Congress ends its first session |
Legal/Political |
02/20/1867 |
In Washington, DC, the House agrees Senate changes to the Reconstruction Bill and the measure goes to President Johnson for signature. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/13/1867 |
In Washington, DC, the House of Representatives passes the Reconstruction Bill of 1867. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/16/1867 |
In Washington, DC, the U.S. Senate passes an amended Reconstruction Bill of 1867. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/04/1861 to 03/28/1861 |
In Washington, DC, the United States Senate is sitting in Special Session |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/09/1866 |
In Washington, House of Representatives votes to overturn the presidential veto of the Civil Rights Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/19/1866 |
In Washington, President Johnson vetoes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/15/1862 |
In Washington, President Lincoln signs a bill to establish a separate Department of Agriculture |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/21/1864 |
In Washington, President Lincoln signs the bill enabling the statehood of the Nevada Territory |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/05/1866 |
In Washington, Senator Trumbull introduces measures to extend the authority of the Freedmen's Bureau |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1867 |
In Washington, the House Judiciary Committee reports and recommends the impeachment of President Johnson. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/06/1866 |
In Washington, the House of Representatives passes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/17/1862 |
In Washington, the House of Representatives votes 125-7 to establish a Department of Agriculture |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/20/1866 |
In Washington, the Senate fails to over-ride President Johnson's veto of the Freedmen's Bureau Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/25/1866 |
In Washington, the Senate passes measures to extend the authority of the Freedmen's Bureau |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/17/1863 |
In Washington, the Senate votes to strike down the color bar on railroad cars in the District of Columbia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1860 |
In Washington, the U.S. House creates its "Committee of Thirty-Three" on the sectional crisis |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/08/1864 |
In Washington, the U.S. Senate begins the process of enabling the statehood of the Nevada Territory |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/06/1866 |
In Washington, the U.S. Senate confirms the official transfer of two Virginia counties to West Virginia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/08/1864 |
In Washington, the U.S. Senate passes the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution, 38-6. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/06/1866 |
In Washington, the U.S. Senate votes to over-ride the presidential veto of the Civil Rights Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/06/1834 |
James Buchanan enters the United States Senate |
Legal/Political |
01/21/1861 |
Jefferson Davis of Mississippi resigns from the United States Senate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/03/1860 |
John W. Forney returns as Clerk of the House, this time as a Republican |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/15/1861 to 06/04/1868 |
John W. Forney serves as secretary of the United States Senate |
Personal |
12/05/1859 |
Members of the House of Representatives meet to elect a Speaker |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/03/1862 |
On a party line vote, the U.S. Senate votes to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/12/1866 |
On Abraham Lincoln's birthday, historian George Bancroft delivers a memorial oration before Congress |
Campaigns/Elections |
12/04/1865 |
On an unseasonably warm day, the 39th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/03/1861 |
On the Senate floor, Stephen Douglas warns of the danger of the moment and calls for compromise |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/29/1867 |
Philip Johnson, sitting Pennsylvania Democratic congressman dies suddenly in Washington, D.C. |
Personal |
12/27/1859 |
President Buchanan sends his annual message to the United States Senate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1860 |
President Buchanan's annual message to Congress is delivered to Capital Hill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/02/1867 |
President Johnson rejects the "Tenure of Office Bill" and the Congress over-rides his veto before the day is out. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/02/1867 |
President Johnson rejects the amended Reconstruction Act and Congress easily over-rides his veto on the same day. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/27/1866 |
President Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/06/1862 |
President Lincoln suggests to Congress ways gradually to end slavery in the United States |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/01/1860 |
Rabbi gives opening prayer in the House of Representatives for the first time |
Religion/Philosophy |
05/22/1855 |
Representative Brooks attacks Senator Sumner in the Senate chamber |
Legal/Political |
09/04/1866 |
Republicans once again dominate the Vermont state elections. |
Campaigns/Elections |
01/30/1860 |
Republicans replace John Sherman with William Pennington in the Speaker's election struggle |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
10/25/1866 |
Republicans score significant victories in the West Virginia state elections. |
Campaigns/Elections |
01/07/1865 to 03/02/1865 |
Second session of the 38th Congress sitting in Washington DC from early January to early March, 1865 |
Legal/Political |
12/19/1860 |
Senator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee defends the Union on the floor of the U.S. Senate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/03/1866 |
Senator George Williams of Oregon introduces the "Tenure of Office Act" in the U.S. Senate. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/12/1859 |
Senator Gwin of California hints in the Senate that his state could join the South if the Union breaks up |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/18/1860 |
Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky introduces his Compromise in the United States Senate |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/14/1862 |
Senator Lazarus Powell survives a U.S. Senate vote to expel him for "seducing citizens into rebellion and treason" |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/23/1860 |
Senator Robert A. Toombs recommends that his Georgia constituents vote for secession |
Campaigns/Elections |
01/10/1859 |
Senator Slidell of Louisiana introduces a bill to appropriate funds for the purchase of Cuba from Spain |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/28/1866 |
Sitting Senator Solomon Foot of Vermont dies at sixty-three years old in his residence in Washington D.C. |
Personal |
01/27/1859 |
Speaker of the House Orr and Congressman Hughes of Indiana exchange insults and almost come to blows in the U.S. Capital |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/21/1860 |
Speaker of the U.S. House refuses resignations of the South Carolina congressional delegation |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/03/1867 |
Thaddeus Stevens introduces the First Reconstruction Bill of 1867 in the House of Representatives. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/06/1875 |
The "lame duck" second session of the 43rd Congress returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
01/05/1871 to 03/02/1871 |
The "lame duck" third session of the 41st Congress of the United States is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
07/21/1840 |
The 26th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/01/1840 to 07/20/1840 |
The 26th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1839 to mid-July, 1840 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
09/13/1841 |
The 27th Congress ends its early first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/31/1842 |
The 27th Congress ends its second session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/01/1841 to 09/12/1841 |
The 27th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from late May, 1841 till mid-September, 1841 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/31/1841 |
The 27th Congress opens early, in special session, in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/17/1844 |
The 28th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/05/1843 to 06/16/1844 |
The 28th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1843 till mid-June, 1844 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1843 |
The 28th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/10/1846 |
The 29th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/02/1845 to 08/09/1846 |
The 29th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1845 till mid-August, 1846 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/01/1845 |
The 29th Congress of the United States opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/14/1848 |
The 30th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1847 to 08/13/1848 |
The 30th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1847 till mid-August, 1848 |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1847 |
The 30th Congress of the United States opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
09/30/1850 |
The 31st Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1849 to 09/29/1850 |
The 31st Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1849 till late September, 1850 |
Legal/Political |
12/01/1849 |
The 31st Congress of the United States opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
08/31/1852 |
The 32nd Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1851 to 08/30/1852 |
The 32nd Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1851 till late August, 1852 |
Legal/Political |
12/01/1851 |
The 32nd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
08/07/1854 |
The 33rd Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1853 to 08/06/1854 |
The 33rd Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1853 till early August, 1854 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/05/1853 |
The 33rd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
08/21/1856 |
The 34th Congress begins a ten day special session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
08/18/1856 |
The 34th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/04/1855 to 08/17/1856 |
The 34th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early December, 1855 till mid-August, 1857 |
Legal/Political |
12/03/1855 |
The 34th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1859 |
The 35th Congress of the United States ends its term and adjourns |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1857 |
The 35th Congress opens in Washington, DC with James Orr of South Carolina elected as Speaker |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/25/1860 |
The 36th Congress ends its first session in Washington, DC and adjourns until December |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1861 |
The 36th Congress of the United States ends its second session, finishes its term, and adjourns |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/05/1859 |
The 36th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/06/1859 to 06/24/1860 |
The 36th U.S. Congress is in session in Washington, D.C. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1863 |
The 37th Congress comes to the end of its term in Washington DC |
Legal/Political |
07/05/1861 to 08/05/1861 |
The 37th Congress is in session in Washington, DC, sitting from early July, 1861 till early August, 1861 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/04/1861 |
The 37th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1865 |
The 38th Congress comes to the end of its term in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1863 |
The 38th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1867 |
The 39th Congress comes to the end of its term in Washington DC |
Legal/Political |
03/02/1867 |
The 39th Congress restricts the ability of the White House to dismiss the commanding general of the army. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1871 |
The 41st Congress of the United States comes to the end of its term in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/05/1869 to 04/09/1869 |
The 41st Congress of the United States is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/04/1869 |
The 41st Congress of the United States opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1872 to 01/06/1873 |
The 42nd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 20, 1872 and January 6, 1873 |
Legal/Political |
12/21/1871 to 01/08/1872 |
The 42nd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 21, 1871 and January 8, 1872 |
Legal/Political |
01/10/1872 to 06/09/1872 |
The 42nd Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-June, 1872 |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1873 to 03/02/1873 |
The 42nd Congress is sitting in its third session in Washington, DC between early January and early March, 1873 |
Legal/Political |
12/03/1872 to 12/19/1872 |
The 42nd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC before its holiday recess which begins on December 20, 1872 |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1871 to 12/20/1871 |
The 42nd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC before its holiday recess which begins on December 21, 1871 |
Legal/Political |
03/05/1871 to 04/19/1871 |
The 42nd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early March and mid-April, 1871 |
Legal/Political |
03/04/1871 |
The 42nd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1872 |
The 42nd Congress opens its "lame duck" third session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/04/1871 |
The 42nd Congress opens its second session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/09/1872 |
The 42nd Congress returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1873 to 01/05/1874 |
The 43rd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 20, 1873 and January 5, 1874 |
Legal/Political |
12/08/1874 to 12/22/1874 |
The 43rd Congress is in its second session in Washington, DC, before its holiday recess that begins December 23, 1874 |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1874 to 06/22/1874 |
The 43rd Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-June, 1874 |
Legal/Political |
01/06/1875 to 03/02/1875 |
The 43rd Congress is sitting in its second session in Washington, DC between early January and early March, 1875 |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1873 to 12/18/1873 |
The 43rd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC before its holiday recess which begins on December 20, 1873 |
Legal/Political |
12/01/1873 |
The 43rd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/07/1874 |
The 43rd Congress opens its second session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/06/1874 |
The 43rd Congress returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1877 |
The 44th Congress ends its second session and finishes its term in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/21/1875 to 01/05/1876 |
The 44th Congress is in its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1876 to 08/14/1876 |
The 44th Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-August, 1876 |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1876 to 03/02/1877 |
The 44th Congress is sitting in its second session in Washington, DC between early December, 1876 and early March, 1877 |
Legal/Political |
12/07/1875 to 12/20/1875 |
The 44th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1875 |
The 44th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/04/1876 |
The 44th Congress opens its second session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/06/1876 |
The 44th Congress returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
03/03/1879 |
The 45th Congress comes to the end of its term in Washington DC |
Legal/Political |
10/15/1877 |
The 45th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/18/1879 |
The 46th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/20/1865 |
The body of slain President Lincoln is laying in state in the United States Capitol rotunda |
Personal |
02/19/1867 |
The compromise "Tenure of Office Act" passes the House of Representatives by a vote of 112 to 41. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/18/1867 |
The compromise "Tenure of Office Act" passes the U.S. Senate by a vote of twenty-two to ten. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/06/1861 |
The early first session of the 37th Congress ends in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/22/1863 |
The first session of the 38th Congress adjourns for a two-week holiday recess |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/04/1864 |
The first session of the 38th Congress ends in Washington DC |
Legal/Political |
12/23/1863 to 01/05/1864 |
The first session of the 38th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 6, 1864 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/07/1864 to 07/03/1864 |
The first session of the 38th Congress is sitting in Washington DC from early January to early July, 1864 |
Legal/Political |
12/08/1863 to 12/21/1863 |
The first session of the 38th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/06/1864 |
The first session of the 38th Congress returns from a two-week holiday recess |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/20/1865 |
The first session of the 39th Congress adjourns for a two-week holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
07/28/1866 |
The first session of the 39th Congress ends in Washington DC |
Legal/Political |
12/22/1865 to 01/04/1866 |
The first session of the 39th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 5, 1866 |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1865 to 12/19/1865 |
The first session of the 39th Congress is sitting at the capital from December 4 to December 21, 1865 |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1866 to 07/27/1866 |
The first session of the 39th Congress is sitting in Washington DC from early January to late July, 1866 |
Legal/Political |
01/06/1866 |
The first session of the 39th Congress returns from a two-week holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/03/1877 |
The first session of the 45th Congress closes in Washington, DC and the second session opens the same day |
Legal/Political |
10/16/1877 to 12/02/1877 |
The first session of the 45th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
07/01/1879 |
The first session of the 46th Congress ends in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/19/1879 to 07/01/1879 |
The first session of the 46th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between mid-March and the end of June, 1879 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/31/1867 to 07/02/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress is in recess from its first session in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/21/1867 to 11/20/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress is in recess from its first session in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
11/21/1867 to 12/01/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress is sitting and closing out its first session in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/02/1867 to 12/20/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress is sitting in its first meeting of its second session in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/04/1867 to 03/30/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress is sitting in its first term in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/07/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress orders its Judiciary Committee to continue impeachment investigations on President Johnson |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1867 |
The Fortieth Congress strongly rejects its Judiciary Committee's recommendation to President Johnson. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/19/1865 |
The funeral service for President Lincoln takes place in the White House East Room at noon |
Personal |
02/05/1867 |
The Habeas Corpus Act of 1867 is passed radically adjusting the relationship between state and federal courts. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/22/1856 to 08/29/1856 |
The House and the Senate are both sitting in a special session that will last till the end of the month |
Legal/Political |
12/17/1857 |
The House of Representatives meets for the first time in its new chamber in the United States Capitol |
Legal/Political |
06/11/1866 |
The House of Representatives passes a non-binding resolution that Jefferson Davis be tried for treason |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/04/1864 |
The House of Representatives passes the Wade-Davis Bill setting radical requirements for Reconstruction |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/07/1867 |
The House of Representatives requests its Judiciary Committee to investigate impeachment of President Johnson |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/29/1864 |
The House of Representatives upholds Senate on banning exclusion from U.S. courts on grounds of race |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
10/04/1860 |
The Prince of Wales is in Washington, DC, hosted at the White House |
US/the World |
12/01/1856 |
The regular second session of the 34th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/02/1856 to 03/02/1857 |
The second regular session of the 34th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December and early March |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/08/1840 to 03/02/1841 |
The second session of the 26th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1840 and early March, 1841 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1840 |
The second session of the 26th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1841 to 08/30/1842 |
The second session of the 27th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1841 and late August, 1842 |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1841 |
The second session of the 27th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1846 |
The second session of the 28th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/08/1846 to 03/02/1847 |
The second session of the 29th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1846 and early March, 1847 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/07/1846 |
The second session of the 29th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1848 |
The second session of the 30th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/05/1848 to 03/02/1849 |
The second session of the 30th Congress sits in Washington, DC between early December, 1848 and early March, 1849 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/03/1850 to 03/02/1851 |
The second session of the 31st Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1850 and early March, 1851 |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1850 |
The second session of the 31st Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/07/1852 to 03/02/1853 |
The second session of the 32nd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1852 and early March, 1853 |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1852 |
The second session of the 32nd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1854 to 03/02/1855 |
The second session of the 33rd Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December and early March |
Legal/Political |
12/04/1854 |
The second session of the 33rd Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/23/1858 |
The second session of the 35th Congress adjourns for its ten day holiday recess |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/24/1858 to 01/04/1859 |
The second session of the 35th Congress is in its ten day holiday recess until January 5, 1859 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/06/1858 to 12/22/1858 |
The second session of the 35th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/06/1858 |
The second session of the 35th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1860 to 03/02/1861 |
The second session of the 36th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/03/1860 |
The second session of the 36th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/17/1862 |
The second session of the 37th Congress ends in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/03/1861 to 07/16/1862 |
The second session of the 37th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/23/1864 to 01/05/1865 |
The second session of the 38th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 6, 1865 |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1864 |
The second session of the 38th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/06/1865 |
The second session of the 38th Congress returns from a two-week holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1866 to 01/02/1867 |
The second session of the 39th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 4, 1867 |
Legal/Political |
01/04/1867 to 03/02/1867 |
The second session of the 39th Congress is sitting in Washington DC from early January to early March. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/04/1866 to 12/19/1866 |
The second session of the 39th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/03/1866 |
The second session of the 39th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/03/1867 |
The second session of the 39th Congress returns from a two-week holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
07/15/1870 |
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States comes to an end in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/22/1869 to 01/09/1870 |
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States is in its eighteen day holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/07/1869 to 12/21/1869 |
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States is meeting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/11/1870 to 07/14/1870 |
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/10/1870 |
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/23/1874 to 01/05/1875 |
The second session of the 43rd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 23, 1874 and January 5, 1875 |
Legal/Political |
12/19/1877 |
The second session of the 45th Congress breaks for the holiday season |
Legal/Political |
06/20/1878 |
The second session of the 45th Congress closes in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1877 to 01/10/1878 |
The second session of the 45th Congress is in its traditional holiday recess till January 11, 1878 |
Legal/Political |
01/12/1878 to 06/19/1878 |
The second session of the 45th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC from early January to mid-June, 1878 |
Legal/Political |
01/11/1878 |
The second session of the 45th Congress returns from its holiday season recess |
Legal/Political |
12/19/1879 |
The second session of the 46th Congress breaks for the holiday season |
Legal/Political |
06/16/1880 |
The second session of the 46th Congress ends in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1879 to 01/06/1880 |
The second session of the 46th Congress is in its traditional holiday recess till January 7, 1880 |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1879 to 12/18/1879 |
The second session of the 46th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/08/1880 to 06/15/1880 |
The second session of the 46th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC from early January to mid-June, 1880 |
Legal/Political |
12/01/1879 |
The second session of the 46th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1880 |
The second session of the 46th Congress resumes in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/14/1857 |
The Senate of the United States ends its ten day special session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
03/10/1859 |
The Senate of the United States ends its week long special session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/05/1857 to 03/13/1857 |
The Senate of the United States is sitting in a ten day special session in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
06/26/1860 to 06/28/1860 |
The Senate of the United States is sitting in a three day special session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/15/1858 to 06/16/1858 |
The Senate of the United States is sitting in a two day special session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/05/1859 to 03/09/1859 |
The Senate of the United States is sitting in a week long special session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/04/1859 |
The Senate of the United States opens a week long special session in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/25/1861 |
The Senate passes the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution that limits U.S. war aims to saving the Union |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
08/30/1856 |
The special session of both houses of Congress adjourns in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1842 to 03/02/1843 |
The third session of the 27th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between early December, 1842 and early March, 1843 |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1842 |
The third session of the 27th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/22/1862 |
The third session of the 37th Congress adjourns for a two-week holiday recess |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/23/1862 to 01/05/1863 |
The third session of the 37th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 6, 1863 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/07/1863 to 03/02/1863 |
The third session of the 37th Congress is sitting in Washington DC until early March 1863 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/02/1862 to 12/21/1862 |
The third session of the 37th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC between December 1 and December 22, 1862 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/01/1862 |
The third session of the 37th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/06/1863 |
The third session of the 37th Congress returns from a two-week holiday recess |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/23/1870 to 01/03/1871 |
The third session of the 41st Congress of the United States is in its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/06/1870 to 12/22/1870 |
The third session of the 41st Congress of the United States is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/05/1870 |
The third session of the 41st Congress of the United States opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/04/1871 |
The third session of the 41st Congress of the United States returns from its holiday recess |
Legal/Political |
12/20/1878 to 01/06/1879 |
The third session of the 45th Congress in Washington DC is in its two week holiday recesss |
Legal/Political |
01/07/1879 |
The third session of the 45th Congress in Washington DC returns from its two week holiday recesss |
Legal/Political |
01/08/1879 to 03/02/1879 |
The third session of the 45th Congress is sitting in Washington DC from early January to early March, 1879 |
Legal/Political |
12/03/1878 to 12/19/1878 |
The third session of the 45th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/02/1878 |
The third session of the 45th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/22/1880 |
The third session of the 46th Congress begins its holiday recess in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
12/23/1880 to 12/31/1880 |
The third session of the 46th Congress begins its holiday recess in Washington, DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/06/1880 |
The third session of the 46th Congress opens in Washington, DC |
Legal/Political |
01/12/1860 |
The thirty-fourth ballot in the election for Speaker of the House ends without a resolution |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/28/1861 |
The U. S. Senate votes thirty-six to sixteen to admit free Kansas as the 34th state of the Union |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/20/1867 |
The U.S. Congress authorizes an Indian Peace Commission to negotiate with hostile Plains Indian tribes. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/21/1862 |
The U.S. Congress completes a bill to establish a new mint in Denver, Colorado |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/08/1864 |
The U.S. Congress funds "separate but equal" schools for black children in the District of Columbia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
07/02/1864 |
The U.S. Congress passes the Wade-Davis Bill that sets radical requirements for Reconstruction |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/11/1849 |
The U.S. Congress reverses the Gott Resolution to ban slavery in the District of Columbia |
Slavery/Abolition |
03/01/1867 |
The U.S. Senate fails to override President Johnson's veto of the Colorado Statehood Bill. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/22/1862 |
The U.S. Senate organizes the impeachment trial of U.S. District Judge West H. Humphreys |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
05/10/1860 |
The U.S. Senate passes its version of the Homestead Bill |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/18/1866 |
The U.S. Senate passes the initial version of the "Tenure of Office Act" on a vote of twenty-nine for and nine against. |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/24/1862 |
The U.S. Senate trial of U.S. District Judge West H. Humphreys of Tennessee ends with his removal |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/17/1862 |
The U.S. Senate votes 26-14 to confirm Simon Cameron as the new ambassador to Russia |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/24/1862 |
The U.S. Senate votes 38-1 to confirm Noah Haynes Swayne of Ohio to the U.S. Supreme Court |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
06/25/1864 |
The U.S. Senate votes to ban exclusion from testifying in United States courts on grounds of race |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
02/05/1862 |
The U.S. Senate votes to expel Indiana Senator Jesse Bright as a Southern sympathizer |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/03/1866 |
The U.S. Supreme Court decides "Ex Parte Milligan" in favor of the plaintiffs and orders them released |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/10/1862 |
The United States Senate expels Missouri Senators Waldo Johnson and Trusten Polk for treason |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/01/1867 to 04/20/1867 |
The United States Senate is sitting in special session in Washington DC |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/04/1859 |
The United States Senate occupies its new chamber at the Capitol |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/02/1862 |
The United States Senate passes President Lincoln's suggested resolution to help end slavery gradually |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/09/1866 |
The War Department gives the remaining strength of the U.S. Army as just over 150,000 men. |
Battles/Soldiers |
01/27/1860 |
Thirty-ninth ballot in the election for Speaker sees John Sherman fall behind for the first time |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/02/1860 |
Thomas H. Ford elected as Printer of the House of Representatives in the eighteenth ballot |
Campaigns/Elections |
03/04/1855 |
Three Washburn brothers sit in the Thirty-Fourth Congress |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
04/30/1862 |
U.S. House censures former Secretary of War Simon Cameron for his lax fiscal dealings while in office |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/15/1862 |
U.S. Senate confirms Edwin M. Stanton's nomination as Secretary of War on a vote of 36-2 |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/19/1860 |
U.S. Senate confirms well-known Democrat lawyer Edwin M. Stanton as Attorney-General |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/13/1862 |
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee finds the evidence insufficient to expel Indiana Senator Jesse Bright |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
01/09/1862 |
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee votes to expel Missouri Senators Waldo Johnson and Trusten Polk |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
12/14/1859 |
U.S. Senate votes unanimously for a committee to investigate the Harpers Ferry Raid |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/04/1869 |
Ulysses Grant takes the oath as the eighteenth President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC |
Campaigns/Elections |
06/30/1866 |
War Department figures indicate only 23,294 thousand volunteers remain from its vast Civil War army. |
Battles/Soldiers |
11/01/1866 |
War Department figures indicate that only eleven thousand volunteers remain from its vast Civil War army. |
Battles/Soldiers |
02/02/1850 |
William H. Bissell denounces seccessionism in speech to US House of Representatives |
Legal/Political |
02/01/1860 |
William Pennington of New Jersey elected Speaker of the House on the forty-fourth ballot |
Lawmaking/Litigating |
03/03/1857 |
With the end of its second regular session, the 34th Congress of the United States finishes its term and adjourns |
Legal/Political |