Fireside chat
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fireside chats (there were 30 in all) were radio speeches he made describing important current events and political issues to the...
French Canadians in Illinois County
Western lands were not empty when Congress began settling land northwest of the Ohio River after the Revolutionary War. French Canadian residents who had unexpectedly...
In a democratic system, all must vote
Like Mrs. Bertram Jeffrey, many citizens called on Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act for the continuance of a true democratic system.
Indignant citizens protest
Citizens of Minnesota sent this fiery petition to Congress during the winter of 1861, demanding that the United States recapture the forts, arms, and other Federal...
“It’s Not Going to be Such a Restful Month at That!”
This Clifford Berryman cartoon highlights the never-ending dilemma faced by members of Congress––explaining votes on various issues to the diverse interests back...
Jefferson’s confidential message to Congress
On January 18, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent a secret message to Congress. In it, he asked Congress for $2500 to explore the West–all the way to the Pacific...
Jefferson’s Motion
Signed by the American peace commissioners on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson wrote this motion for...