Subjects – Bankhead, William
The first House Chamber funeral
December 18, 1820
On this date, the first known funeral in the House Chamber occurred.
The funeral of Congressman Joab Lawler of Alabama
May 09, 1838
On this date in the 25th Congress (1837–1839), a funeral in the old House Chamber (present day Statuary Hall) was held for Representative Joab Lawler of Alabama.
A House Chamber funeral for Supreme Court Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite
March 28, 1888
On this date, the House of Representatives hosted a funeral to honor Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite.
Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives Joe Sinnott
April 02, 1911
On this date, Joe Sinnott was elected Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives.
The Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929
June 11, 1929
On this date, the House passed the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929, fixing the number of Representatives at 435.
Speaker of the House William Bankhead of Alabama
June 04, 1936
On this date, the House elected Majority Leader William Bankhead of Alabama as Speaker of the House following the unexpected death of Speaker Joseph Byrns of Tennessee earlier that morning.
Speaker of the House Joseph Byrns of Tennessee
June 04, 1936
Speaker of the House Joseph Byrns of Tennessee died on this date.
The first inauguration after the lame duck amendment
January 20, 1937
On this date, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn into office at the U.S. Capitol for a second term as President.
The 75th Congress and the legislative program of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
August 21, 1937
On this date, the first session of the 75th Congress (1937–1939) adjourned sine die. Under the leadership of Speaker of the House William Bankhead of Alabama, the Democratic majority was tasked with fulfilling the legislative program of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The first major radio broadcast of a Joint Meeting
March 04, 1939
On this date, more than 400 radio broadcasters from the United States and Canada covered the proceedings in the House Chamber marking the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of Congress.
The opening of the House Radio Gallery
July 24, 1939
On this date, the House and Senate radio galleries formally opened.
The Speaker election of Sam Rayburn of Texas
September 16, 1940
On this date the House of Representatives selected Sam Rayburn of Texas to serve as Speaker of the House in the 76th Congress (1939–1941).
The temporary appointment of North Carolina Representative Lindsay Warren as Majority Leader
September 19, 1940
On this date, newly elected Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas named Lindsay Warren of North Carolina temporary House Majority Leader.
Longtime House employee Helen Sewell
July 18, 2006
On this date, Helen Sewell, the longtime manager of the Republican Cloakroom lunch and snack bar, died.