Firsts & Milestones
Designed by the founders to most closely represent the will and characteristics
of the American people, the House of Representatives mirrors the changing face and
history of the nation. As a dynamic institution, the House continues to evolve both
in terms of the makeup of its membership and its physical setting. Based on frequently
asked questions, the following list of House firsts contains chronological information
describing some of the significant milestones in the history of this representative
body.
Above is an image of the East Front of the Capitol as it looked in 1906.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress