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Legislative Highlights

The U.S. Constitution states that “The Congress shall have Power…To make all Laws.” The original laws enacted by Congress are preserved at the National Archives. This page highlights some of the most historically significant laws Congress has passed throughout the nation’s history.

5 Images National Historic Preservation Act, October 15, 1966 View All Images
1 Image Declaration of War against Spain, April 25, 1898 View All Images
2 Images Civil Rights Act of 1960, May 6, 1960 View All Images
2 Images Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, August 2, 1946 View All Images
2 Images An Act Providing for the Education of Colored Children in the Cities... View All Images
2 Images An Act to Establish a Department of Agriculture, May 15, 1862 View All Images
1 Image The Jay Treaty, Exchange Copy, November 19, 1794 View All Images
3 Images “Title IX” of the Education Amendments of 1972, June 23, 1972 View All Images
2 Images An Act for the Release of Certain Persons from Service or Labor in... View All Images
2 Images Morrill Land Grant Act, July 2, 1862 View All Images
1 Image Joint Resolution proposing the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S.... View All Images
1 Image Joint Resolution Proposing the Seventeenth Amendment to the... View All Images
2 Images Pacific Railway Act, approved July 1, 1862 View All Images
2 Images The Homestead Act, May 20, 1862 View All Images
1 Image An Act Providing for the Expences Which May Attend Negotiations or... View All Images