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This Week in House History
The House historical highlights featured in This Week in House History are maintained by the Office of the Clerk's Office of Art and Archives. New highlights are added weekly. The collection, searchable by date or subject, includes more than 400 historical House events.
The Work of the 29th Congress
December 01, 1845
On this date, the 29th Congress (1845–1847) convened for a momentous two years dominated by war in the southwest.
The Completion of the Statue of Freedom
December 02, 1863
On this date, workers adjoined the final piece of the iconic Statue of Freedom atop the new Capitol Dome amid a sober military ceremony, punctuated by a 35-gun salute from Capitol Hill and then from each of the dozen U.S. Army encampments protecting the capital during the Civil War.
The Prison Escape of Former Representative William “Boss” Tweed
of New York
December 04, 1875
On this date, former Congressman William M. Tweed of New York escaped from prison in New York City.
The “Comebacks” of the 64th Congress
December 06, 1915
On this date, as the House began to organize itself at the opening of the 64th Congress (1915–1917), a monumental number of returning Members were sworn in.