111th Congress, 2nd Session
The House declaration of war against Germany in 1917
April 06, 1917
On this date, the House adopted a war resolution against Imperial Germany—formally committing the United States to intervention in the First World War. It marked just the third occasion that Congress had enacted a declaration of war—the two previous instances being the War of 1812 and the Spanish-American War of 1898. After a debate that extended several days, the 373 to 50 vote for war came at 3:12 a.m. Majority Leader Claude Kitchin of North Carolina implored colleagues to preserve America’s place as “the last hope of peace on earth, good will toward men” by opposing the war measure. Jeannette Rankin of Montana, sworn in as the first woman in Congress four days earlier, remained silent during the first reading of the roll call. Former Speaker Joe Cannon of Illinois sought her out on the floor and advised: “Little woman, you cannot afford not to vote. You represent the womanhood of the country in the American Congress.” On the second reading of the roll she voted ‘No,’ inadvertently violating House rules by rising from her seat to give a short speech: “I want to stand by my country—but I cannot vote for war.”