US Capitol Historical Society

#OTD in #history, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille. The prison key was gifted to Washington, who saw it as a “token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism.” But the significance was lost on King Louis, who asked, “So, is there a rebellion?”—“No sire. A revolution.”

#OTD in #history, 1868, the 14th Amendment was ratified, granting citizenship to those “born or naturalized in the” #USA, including the once enslaved. As Frederick Douglass insisted 15 years prior: “within the meaning of the #UnitedStates Constitution, we are American citizens.”

#OTD in #history 1775, Washington took command of the #USArmy. Tasked with defeating the world’s greatest fighting force, he conceded it “a trust too great for my capacity.” Yet even then he already understood: “it has been a kind of destiny, that has thrown me upon this service”

#OTD in #history 1956, Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, enabling the Interstate Highway. “More than any single action by the government since the end of the war, this one would change the face of #America…Its impact on the #American economy…was beyond calculation”

#OTD in #history, 2015, #SCOTUS ruled that gay marriage was a constitutional right. Thus marked the end of a long and arduous journey for marriage equality—though that journey was well worth the wait. As the Court opined: “marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death”

#OTD in #history 1950, N Korean forces invaded S Korea. The start of the Korean War would pit the influence of the USSR vs the #USA. “We seek no territory or domination over others” Truman said. “We know that our future is inseparably joined with the future of other free peoples”

#OTD in #history 1858, Lincoln declared a “house divided against itself cannot stand”—his bid “to rouse [men] to the peril of the times.” Yet even as slavery inched the US toward civil war, he was confident: against “a common danger…the result is not doubtful. We shall not fail”

#OTD in #history, 1804, the 12th Amendment was ratified. After the bellicose 1796 & 1800 elections, it placed Presidential & VP candidates on separate electoral ballots. In so doing, it helped remedy a blind spot in the #Constitution: opposing parties in the same administration.

#OnThisDay in #history, 1789, #JamesMadison introduced the #BillofRights. “If all power is subject to abuse,” he told #Congress, the amendments are not only “an impenetrable bulwark against every assumption of power”—but a “declaration of the rights of the people.” #America250

#OTD in 1944— #DDay — #USA forces invaded Normandy. FDR prayed: “Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion & our civilization…by Thy grace & by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph”

#OTD in #history, 1968, #RFK was felled by an assassin’s bullet. The #POTUS candidate had campaigned for #peace, #CivilRights, and the working poor. But though his life now ceased, he insisted after #MLK’s death: “No martyr's cause has ever been stilled by his assassin's bullet.”

#OTD in #history, 1919, Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which granted women universal suffrage. Decades prior, Susan B. Anthony said, “There shall never be another season of silence until women have the same rights men have on this green earth.” Here's to those who make noise

#OTD in #history, 1812, #POTUS James Madison asked #Congress to declare war on Britain for its “continued practice of violating the American flag.” To not, he insisted, “would have acknowledged that…the #American people were not an independent people, but colonists and vassals.”

#OTD in #history 2004, the #WW2 Memorial was dedicated. It reads “here we mark the price of freedom” with 4,048 gold stars representing the 405,399 troops who perished: 1/3 of the Americans since 1775 to give their last full measure of devotion: to the #USA & Her cause of liberty

#OTD in #history, 1856, Charles Sumner was caned half-to-death on the Senate floor. The heinous act was retaliation for his inflammatory speech about the evils of slavery. Two years before Lincoln warned of a “House Divided,” many already wondered how long that house would stand.

#OTD in #history, 1927, Lindbergh flew the 1st solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic. OTD in 1932, Earhart was the 1st woman to do the same. “Everyone has oceans to fly,” she said, “if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”

#OTD in #history, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law. It dispersed 270 million acres—10% of the #USA’s landmass—to hopeful #American settlers. It “seemed a godsend to penniless people,” a homesteader said, “who otherwise could not hope to buy land.”

#OTD in #history, 1756, the seeds of revolution were sowed when the Seven Years’ War began. Britain’s victory over France won it new lands but also new debt, leading to taxes in #America. But after a century of autonomy, Americans had no intent to let the embers of liberty expire

#OTD in 1804, the #USA began exploring the Louisiana Territory. After #Congress ratified the Louisiana Purchase, it appropriated funds for the Territory’s exploration. Guided by Sacagawea, Lewis & Clark learned of its resources & inhabitants, & an early trade route to the Pacific

#OnThisDay in 1789, #JohnAdams was sworn in as the #USA’s 1st VP. Before the 12th Amendment, the presidential candidate who came in 2nd became VP. His election was thus a remarkable statement: even among one of the greatest collection of minds in world #history, Adams stood apart