Subjects –
Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
November 15, 1777
On this date, the Continental Congress adopted and sent to the state legislatures a plan for the inaugural national government under the Articles of Confederation (approved by the states in March 1781).
The Oath of Office Bill
May 18, 1789
The Oath of Office Bill, the first legislative act of Congress, passed the House of Representatives on this date.
The 27th Amendment
September 25, 1789
On this date, the First Congress (1789–1791) submitted the original 12 amendments to the Constitution, crafted by Representative James Madison of Virginia, to the states for ratification.
The 13th Amendment
January 31, 1865
On this date, the House passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States.
The Civil Rights Bill of 1866
April 09, 1866
On this date, the House overrode President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 with near unanimous Republican support, 122 to 41, marking the first time Congress legislated upon civil rights.
The Constitution in the Congressional Record
December 14, 1882
Roswell P. Flower of New York, in a seemingly unprecedented request, inserted into the Congressional Record a complete, amended copy of the U.S. Constitution.
The ratification of the 16th Amendment
February 03, 1913
On this date, the states of Delaware, Wyoming, and New Mexico approved the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratifying it into law.
The Volstead Act
October 28, 1919
On this date, the 66th Congress (1919–1921) overrode President Woodrow Wilson’s veto of the National Prohibition Act.
The 19th Amendment
August 26, 1920
On this date, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby proclaimed the 19th Amendment—extending the vote to women—ratified as part of the Constitution.
The 20th Amendment
January 03, 1935
On this date, the 74th Congress (1935–1937) became the first to convene for opening day in fulfillment of the requirements of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
The 24th Amendment
August 27, 1962
On this date in 1962, the House passed the 24th Amendment, outlawing the poll tax as a voting requirement in federal elections, by a vote of 295 to 86.
The 26th Amendment
July 01, 1971
The 26th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on this date.