Congress comes to the aid of Maine
Maine government officials believed that British lumberjacks had invaded U.S. soil by logging timber in the Aroostook Valley. So they sent a land agent to evict the...
Congressional compensation ledger
This ledger was used to clarify a proposed reduction in compensation for Congress in 1843, thus reducing the Congressional budget. Congress sets the budget for its...
Constitution of the United States
The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. Because the...
“Democratic New Years Eve Cheer”
In the 1930 congressional elections, Republicans retained a slim majority in both houses of Congress. When the new Congress convened in December 1931, however, a...
Documenting Human Cargo
On January 1, 1808, Congress prohibited the foreign importation of slaves into the United States. However, slaves were still sold and transported within the borders...
Election of Speaker Tip O’Neill
This House Journal entry notes the process by which Tip O’Neill was chosen Speaker of the House, the title given to the elected leader of the House of...
Failed compromise
As southern states began seceding during the winter of 1860–61, several compromises were proposed to hold the nation together. One was a constitutional amendment...