12/02/1865
House Republicans vote to set up a joint committee to determine the suitability of Southern representation
12/04/1865
On an unseasonably warm day, the 39th Congress opens in Washington, DC
12/14/1865
In Washington D.C., the House names its nine members of the new Joint Committee on Reconstruction
12/21/1865
In Washington D.C., the U.S. Senate names its six members of the new Joint Committee on Reconstruction
12/22/1865
- 01/04/1866
The first session of the 39th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 5, 1866
01/05/1866
In Washington, Senator Trumbull introduces measures to extend the authority of the Freedmen's Bureau
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
01/10/1866
In the U.S. Senate, Henry Wilson of Massachusetts proposes the size of the peacetime Army
01/18/1866
In Columbus, the Ohio legislature re-elects John Sherman as United States senator
01/25/1866
In Washington, the Senate passes measures to extend the authority of the Freedmen's Bureau
02/06/1866
In Washington, the House of Representatives votes to confirm the transfer of two Virginia counties to West Virginia.
02/06/1866
In Washington, the House of Representatives passes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill
02/12/1866
On Abraham Lincoln's birthday, historian George Bancroft delivers a memorial oration before Congress
02/19/1866
In Washington, President Johnson vetoes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill
02/20/1866
In Washington, the Senate fails to over-ride President Johnson's veto of the Freedmen's Bureau Bill
03/06/1866
In Washington, the U.S. Senate confirms the official transfer of two Virginia counties to West Virginia
03/13/1866
At the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives passes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866
03/27/1866
President Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Bill of 1866
03/28/1866
Sitting Senator Solomon Foot of Vermont dies at sixty-three years old in his residence in Washington D.C.
04/06/1866
In Washington, the U.S. Senate votes to over-ride the presidential veto of the Civil Rights Bill
04/09/1866
In Washington, House of Representatives votes to overturn the presidential veto of the Civil Rights Bill
06/11/1866
The House of Representatives passes a non-binding resolution that Jefferson Davis be tried for treason
06/16/1866
New York U.S. Congressman James Humphrey dies suddenly at his home in Brooklyn.
12/03/1866
The second session of the 39th Congress opens in Washington, DC
12/03/1866
Senator George Williams of Oregon introduces the "Tenure of Office Act" in the U.S. Senate.
12/04/1866
- 12/19/1866
The second session of the 39th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC
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.
12/20/1866
- 01/02/1867
The second session of the 39th Congress is in a two-week holiday recess until January 4, 1867
01/04/1867
- 03/02/1867
The second session of the 39th Congress is sitting in Washington DC from early January to early March.
01/07/1867
The House of Representatives requests its Judiciary Committee to investigate impeachment of President Johnson
01/29/1867
Philip Johnson, sitting Pennsylvania Democratic congressman dies suddenly in Washington, D.C.
02/03/1867
Thaddeus Stevens introduces the First Reconstruction Bill of 1867 in the House of Representatives.
02/13/1867
In Washington, DC, the House of Representatives passes the Reconstruction Bill of 1867.
02/16/1867
In Washington, DC, the U.S. Senate passes an amended Reconstruction Bill of 1867.
02/18/1867
The compromise "Tenure of Office Act" passes the U.S. Senate by a vote of twenty-two to ten.
02/19/1867
The compromise "Tenure of Office Act" passes the House of Representatives by a vote of 112 to 41.
02/20/1867
In Washington, DC, the House agrees Senate changes to the Reconstruction Bill and the measure goes to President Johnson for signature.
03/02/1867
President Johnson rejects the amended Reconstruction Act and Congress easily over-rides his veto on the same day.
03/02/1867
President Johnson rejects the "Tenure of Office Bill" and the Congress over-rides his veto before the day is out.
03/02/1867
The 39th Congress restricts the ability of the White House to dismiss the commanding general of the army.
03/07/1867
The Fortieth Congress orders its Judiciary Committee to continue impeachment investigations on President Johnson
03/29/1867
Democrat George R. Riddle, one of Delaware's sitting U.S. Senators, dies suddenly in Washington, D.C.
05/08/1867
Elijah Hise, a sitting Kentucky congressman, commits suicide at his home in Russellville.