United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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History, Art & Archives of the U.S. House of Representatives

Inside the Chamber on Opening Day

by Art on January 3, 2017

Every two years, as mandated in Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives starts a new legislative session, known as a Congress. Using longstanding precedent and a few highly visible artifacts, the House embarks on the pomp and ritual of its biennial Opening Day.

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Categories: House Chamber, Opening Day

Before the Flag

by Art on June 14, 2016

In 1929, the Capitol celebrated Flag Day with the United States Flag Association rolling out the (allegedly) largest flag in the world on the West Front, accompanied by an amplified, patriotic program. But what about the normal-sized, everyday flags in the Chamber? One might assume that its current spot— front and center, behind the Speaker on the rostrum—was always the case. However, there is no official protocol on flag display, so we turn to images from the House Collection to piece together the history of the flag in the House Chamber.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

Ten Trumpets and a Flying Coffin

by Art on April 18, 2016

What did it take to be heard in the House of Representatives? Acoustics were notoriously bad in the House Chamber in the early 20th century. Getting from “wait, what?” to “loud and clear” required three tries, ten trumpets, and a flying coffin.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

Photography’s Ghosts

by Archives on October 19, 2015

1913 electoral vote count
What’s that in the back of the House Chamber? Is the camera out of focus, or could there be a ghost in the Capitol?

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Categories: Photography, Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

The Saga of “Sausage” Sawyer

by History on August 12, 2015

In politics as in life, everyone discovers that they have to choose their battles, deciding when to fight and when to walk away. The lucky ones get to learn this lesson early and in private. Then there are others, like Ohio Representative William Sawyer.

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Categories: People, House Chamber

The Man in Black’s Tribute to the Ragged Old Flag

by History on June 12, 2015

On June 14, 1977, the Man in Black strode into the House Chamber as if it were the stage of a country music hall. But music legend Johnny Cash wasn't about to belt out tunes for any ordinary concert. Rather, Cash delivered a moving poem to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. flag.

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Categories: Holidays, House Chamber, House Practice & Traditions
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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov