The Congress of the Confederate States sat in special session in Montgomery, Alabama until May 21, 1861. (By John Osborne)

The Congress of the Confederate States opened its second session in Montgomery, Alabama. Jefferson Davis had recalled the Congress by proclamation into this special session and on the first day conveyed a lengthy message to the Congress. This message explained the actions he took following the firing on Fort Sumter and President Lincoln's call for troops to preserve the Union and called for further congressional action to support the emerging conflict between North and South. The session sat until May 21, 1861. (By John Osborne)

Following the passage of the new constitution, the Convention of Seceding States which had been meeting at the State House in Montgomery, Alabama since February 4, 1861, swore itself in as the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America. Howell Cobb of Georgia remained in the chair as "president of the Congress." This provisional session lasted till March 16, 1861. (By John Osborne)

Two days after the end of the first session of the Thirty-Sixth Congress, President Buchanan recalled the United States Senate to a special session. The session lasted for three days and the main order of business was the ratification of several recently negotiated treaties with Central American countries. (By John Osborne)

The Senate ended its week long special session on this day. The body reassembled as part of the Thirty-Sixth Congress on December 5, 1859. (By John Osborne)

The Senate sat in a week long special session, called by President Buchanan. On the first day, newly elected Senators were sworn in. The session sat until March 10, 1859. (By John Osborne)

The day after the end of the first session of the Thirty-Fifth Congress, President Buchanan recalled the United States Senate to a special session. The session lasted for two days. (By John Osborne)