US Capitol Historical Society

#OTD in #history, 1937, the Senate rejected FDR’s plan to add #SCOTUS justices. He was frustrated the Court was blocking the New Deal during the Depression. From the #POTUS’ perspective: “We refused to leave the problems of our common welfare to be solved by the winds of chance.”

#OTD in #history, 1949, the #UnitedStates Senate ratified the North Atlantic Treaty, creating the legal basis for #NATO. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee asserted: “peace with #justice & the defense of #humanrights and fundamental freedoms require international cooperation”

#OTD in #history, 1969, Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” His message reached more than half a billion people. Not long after, #POTUS Nixon told the astronauts: “Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man’s world.”

#OTD in #history 1980, the Moscow #Olympics began—w/o the #USA. After the USSR invaded #Afghanistan, 65 nations boycotted the games. The boycott is now criticized. But most Americans & #Congress favored—what #POTUS Carter called—a “sacrifice…to preserve the peace of our country”

#OTD in #history, 1918, #NelsonMandela was born. After 27 years in prison, he spoke before #Congress, receiving 15 standing ovations from Members of both parties. He thanked the #USA for sanctions against apartheid South Africa that sought “the victory of #democracy over tyranny”

#OTD in #history 1945, the Potsdam Conference began. With #WW2 in #Europe ended, the Allies met over the war in #Japan & postwar order. Stalin though, sought to install communism in East Europe. Thus, the next time the #USA & USSR met, it wasn’t as WW2 allies—but Cold War enemies

#OTD in #history 1790, the Residence Act made #Philadelphia the temporary #USA capital, & in 10 years, land near the Potomac—what became #WashingtonDC —the permanent capital. Planning soon began for #Congress’ home on Capitol Hill, described as “a pedestal waiting for a monument”

#OTD in #history, 1979, #POTUS Carter said the #USA had a “crisis of confidence.” One cause was an extreme gas shortage, leading to #Congress’ Energy Security Act—which sought to diversify energy sources. “Working together with our common faith,” Carter rallied, “we cannot fail.”

#OTD in #history, 1789, #Paris revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, igniting the #FrenchRevolution. The Marquis de Lafayette gave the prison key—still at @MountVernon today—to George Washington, who saw the gift as a “token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism by another”

#OTD in 1863, the #NYC Draft Riots began—the worst in #USA #history. They were a response to the Union’s Conscription Act, which required all male citizens & immigrants aged 20-45 to register for a draft. Further igniting rage was the $300 those with means could pay for exemption

#OTD in 1804, #AlexanderHamilton died from a gunshot wound suffered in a duel with VP Burr. Though the #history is unclear, it is likely both took a shot. #Hamilton missed (perhaps purposefully). But Burr did not. Hamilton died, along with the last vestiges of Burr’s reputation.

#OTD in #history 1798, #Congress created the #USA Marines—known for victory & innovation in amphibious warfare & on foreign soil. In Korea Gen. MacArthur said “I have just returned from visiting the #Marines at the front, & there is not a finer fighting organization in the world”

#OTD in #history 1875, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was born. Though her parents were once enslaved, Bethune became a chief advisor to FDR & an influential champion of racial & gender equity. In 2022, she became the 1st African American & 10th woman honored in #Congress' Statuary Hall

#OTD in #history, 1868, the 14th Amendment was ratified. It granted citizenship to those “born or naturalized" in the #USA —including African Americans & the formerly enslaved— & denied states from depriving "any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

#OTD in 1933, David McCullough was born. In 2016, we gave him our Freedom Award. Upon accepting, he called the #USA Capitol: "a symbol of freedom, the structure bespeaking more than any other our #history...evoking & encouraging powerfully pride in our system &, yes, #patriotism”

#OTD in #history, 1747, John Paul Jones was born. During the #USA's war for independence, his seaborne attacks on Britain's coasts forced the British to divert valuable resources for their defense. For his contributions to #America, Jones has been called “Father of the #USNavy.”

#OTD in #history, 1775, the Continental #Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition—#America’s last effort for peace. But with blood spilled, King George refused to read it; instead declaring America in a “rebellion” he ordered troops “to exert their utmost endeavors to suppress”

249 years ago, 56 men of disparate homes, backgrounds & ideologies, had the foresight—and courage—to usher in a revolution, predicated on “an abstract truth,” Lincoln later said, “applicable to all men and all times.” Or as Adams predicted: "Posterity will tryumph.” #USA #July4th

#OTD in #history, 1775, Washington took command of the #USArmy. The Continental #Congress appointed him, Adams said, for his "Skill & Experience as an Officer, whose independent fortune, great Talents & excellent universal Character, would command the Approbation of all #America"

#OTD in 1776, the Continental #Congress voted for independence, what #JohnAdams foresaw as “the most memorable Epocha, in the #History of #America.” Finally, he declared, “Thirteen Clocks were made to Strike together.” They struck hard enough to reverberate through all time. #USA