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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 01/06/1873
The 42nd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 20, 1872 and January 6, 1873 Legal/Political
12/21/1871
- 01/08/1872
The 42nd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 21, 1871 and January 8, 1872 Legal/Political
01/10/1872
- 06/09/1872
The 42nd Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-June, 1872 Legal/Political
01/07/1873
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 01/05/1874
The 43rd Congress is in its holiday recess between December 20, 1873 and January 5, 1874 Legal/Political
12/08/1874
- 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
- 06/22/1874
The 43rd Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-June, 1874 Legal/Political
01/06/1875
- 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
- 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
- 01/05/1876
The 44th Congress is in its holiday recess Legal/Political
01/07/1876
- 08/14/1876
The 44th Congress is in session in Washington, DC between early January and mid-August, 1876 Legal/Political
12/05/1876
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 07/02/1867
The Fortieth Congress is in recess from its first session in Washington DC Lawmaking/Litigating
07/21/1867
- 11/20/1867
The Fortieth Congress is in recess from its first session in Washington DC Lawmaking/Litigating
11/21/1867
- 12/01/1867
The Fortieth Congress is sitting and closing out its first session in Washington DC Lawmaking/Litigating
12/02/1867
- 12/20/1867
The Fortieth Congress is sitting in its first meeting of its second session in Washington DC Lawmaking/Litigating
03/04/1867
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 07/16/1862
The second session of the 37th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC Lawmaking/Litigating
12/23/1864
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 12/21/1869
The second session of the 41st Congress of the United States is meeting in Washington, DC Legal/Political
01/11/1870
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 12/18/1879
The second session of the 46th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC Legal/Political
01/08/1880
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 03/02/1863
The third session of the 37th Congress is sitting in Washington DC until early March 1863 Lawmaking/Litigating
12/02/1862
- 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
- 01/03/1871
The third session of the 41st Congress of the United States is in its holiday recess Legal/Political
12/06/1870
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
