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History

The Senate Historical Office collects and provides information on important events, precedents, dates, statistics, and historical comparisons of current and past Senate activities for use by members and staff, the media, scholars, and the general public.

 

Senate Historical Office

Publications

Oral History Project

Photo Collection


Institutional Development of the Senate

At the Constitutional Convention, the framers deliberated at length over the creation of the U.S. Senate.  The Senate has evolved into a complex legislative body, while remaining true to its constitutional origins.

Origins and Development of the Senate

An Institutional Bibliography, 1789-present (pdf)


Timelines

Learn more about historic dates and events in the Senate.

Senate Chronology, 1787 to the Present

Historical Minutes


Brief History and First Facts

Get a brief overview of the history of the Senate and learn some interesting facts.

Brief History of the Senate

Famous Firsts and Records


Statistics

Retrieve statistical lists put together by the Senate Historical Office.

Historical Statistics

Party Division in the Senate, 1789-present


Old Senate Ledger

Discovered in 2002, this financial ledger details nearly a century of salary and mileage payments to Senators, from 1790 to 1881. The original is now with the National Archives. Link to the digitized version above.


History of the House

Link to tables of information on the history of the House of Representatives.


Related Items

Interested in related materials? Take a look at these Virtual Reference Desk subjects for more information.

Archives

Capitol

Censure

Expulsion

Filibuster

Minorities in the Senate

Oath of Office

Senate Chamber

Senate Office Buildings

Senators

Symbols

Traditions

Women in the Senate