Subjects – McCormack, John
Representative Antonio Manuel Fernández of New Mexico
January 17, 1902
Antonio Manuel Fernández, the fourth Hispanic-American Representative elected to the House from New Mexico, was born on this date.
The origins of the Capitol Christmas tree
December 24, 1913
On this date, thousands of people flocked to the U.S. Capitol to celebrate Washington’s first “community Christmas.”
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.
Representative Vera Buchanan of Pennsylvania
November 26, 1955
On this date, Representative Vera Buchanan of Pennsylvania passed away during her third term in the House, becoming the first Congresswoman to die in office.
The Committee on Science and Astronautics
July 21, 1958
On this date, House Resolution 580 authorized the establishment of the Committee on Science and Astronautics.
An extraordinary Joint Session of Congress to support a landmark voting rights bill of 1965
March 15, 1965
On this date, in response to a brutal assault by local officials against civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, President Lyndon B. Johnson held an extraordinary Joint Session of Congress to garner support for a landmark voting rights bill.
The Capitol’s first Attending Physician, Dr. George Calver
October 11, 1966
On this date, the first Attending Physician of the Capitol retired.
The mysterious artist, C.J. Fox, and the portrait of Merchant Marine and Fisheries Chairman Edward Garmatz of Maryland
October 06, 1968
Representative Edward Garmatz of Maryland celebrated his chairmanship of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with the unveiling of his portrait in the committee hearing room.
Most roll call votes prior to electronic voting
October 08, 1968
On this date, the House began a marathon session which spanned two calendar days and produced 45 roll calls before a vote transpired on the floor.
The Apollo 11 crew members appear before a Joint Meeting of Congress
September 16, 1969
When Speaker John McCormack of Massachusetts introduced the Apollo 11 crew members before a Joint Meeting of Congress on this date, the moment marked the culmination of a determined American effort to defeat the Soviet Union in a “space race” that began with the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets in 1957.
The House of Representatives unveiled the portrait of Armed Services Committee Chairman F. Edward Hébert of Louisiana
October 12, 1971
The House unveiled a portrait of Representative F. Edward Hébert of Louisiana, honoring his new chairmanship of the House Committee on Armed Services.
Record number of American flags flown over the Capitol in honor of the Bicentennial
July 04, 1976
During a 24-hour period, 10,471 flags flew over the U.S. Capitol in celebration of America’s Bicentennial.
The 22nd Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game
June 21, 1984
The 22nd Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game took place on this date at Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria, Virginia.
Speaker of the House Carl Albert of Oklahoma
February 04, 2000
On this date, former Speaker of the House Carl Albert died in his home state of Oklahoma.
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.