111th Congress, 2nd Session
President Woodrow Wilson’s Joint Session outlining his vision for a program for world peace
January 08, 1918
Standing at the Clerk’s desk on the rostrum in a crowded House Chamber, President Woodrow Wilson delivered an address outlining his vision for a program for world peace to a Joint Sessions and Meetings of Congress in 1918. President Wilson’s bold and idealistic annunciation of his “Fourteen Points,” formed the basis of a formula to end World War I and to create a postwar League of Nations to enforce the peace. In one of the monumental power struggles between the executive and legislative branches in American history, Wilson’s efforts to guarantee American participation in the League of Nations failed in late 1919.
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Cite this Highlight
Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=364, (December 08, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
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Woodrow Wilson speaking before a Joint Sessions and Meetings in the House Chamber
Library of Congress
Teaching Tip
House Legislation
Have students search the highlight dates and locate reference to any legislative document (bill, resolution, speech, etc.). Ask students to track down the document at a local depository library. Students should research the historical background of the document and make a brief presentation which includes reading all or portions of the document aloud. To locate a nearby federal depository library go to http://catalog.gpo.gov.
