The Forty-second Congress of the United States is in session in Washington, D.C. It is sitting for two weeks until its usual holiday recess which begins on December 21, 1871. James Gillespie Blaine, Republican of Maine, is in the Speaker's chair in the House. (By John Osborne)

The Forty-second Congress of the United States reassembles in Washington, D.C. This second session will sit for around two weeks until the usual holiday recess that will start this year on January 21, 1871. James G. Blaine is in the Speaker's chair. (By John Osborne)

The Forty-second Congress of the United States ends its first session in Washington, D.C. It has sat for 48 days and will reassemble for its second session on December 4, 1871. (By John Osborne)

The Forty-second Congress of the United States is in session in Washington, D.C. It will sit in this first session until April 20, 1871. James Gillespie Blaine, Republican of Maine, is in the Speaker's chair in the House. (By John Osborne)

The Forty-second Congress of the United States opens in Washington, D.C. Of the 243 representatives who will sit in the House, 136 are Republicans and 104 are Democrats. Two others sit as Liberal Republicans, and one as an Independent Republican. On this opening day, James G. Blaine, Republican of Maine, Speaker of the House in the 41st Congress, is re-elected. This first session, called under the legislation of January, 1867, will sit for 48 days, until April 20, 1871. (By John Osborne)

In Washington, DC, Speaker James G. Blaine brings the term of the Forty-third Congress of the United States to an end. The House has sat in its second term for 87 days and for a total of 291 days during its two year term. The Forty-fourth Congress will assemble on December 6, 1875. (By John Osborne)

In Washington, DC, the Forty-third Congress of the United States is sitting in its "lame duck" second session. James G. Blaine, Republican of Maine, is in the Speaker's chair. This session will end on March 3, 1875. (By John Osborne)

The Forty-third Congress of the United States returns from its holiday recess. This "lame duck" second session will now sit until March 3, 1875. Congressman James G. Blaine of Maine is in the Speaker's chair. (By John Osborne)