June 04, 1781

Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania—the House of Representatives’ first Speaker—died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

March 26, 1784

On this date, Speaker of the House John W. Taylor of New York was born in Charlton, New York.

March 04, 1789

The First Congress was scheduled to meet in New York City on this date, though it failed to achieve the quorum necessary to conduct business.

May 18, 1789

The Oath of Office Bill, the first legislative act of Congress, passed the House of Representatives on this date.

October 24, 1791

On this date, the House chose Connecticut Representative Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., as Speaker of the House.

February 18, 1797

On this date, John Bell, the 23rd Speaker of the House was born near Nashville, Tennessee.

April 16, 1799

On this date, Speaker of the House John Wesley Davis of Indiana was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

October 30, 1815

On this date, Henry Clay of Kentucky won a special election to occupy his own seat.

March 30, 1824 – March 31, 1824

On this date, Speaker Henry Clay of Kentucky addressed the House from the well to support targeted protective tariffs and to proclaim his ideal of an “American system” of national development that would benefit all sections of the United States.

March 15, 1827

On this date, Speaker of the House Michael Kerr of Indiana was born. Before entering politics, Kerr taught and practiced law.

September 05, 1834

Born on this date in Campbell (now Kenton) County, Kentucky, Speaker of the House John Carlisle devoted his career to public service.

May 07, 1836

Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois was born in Guilford,