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

Tie a Yellow Ribbon

by Art on July 25, 2013

Tony Orlando—the force behind a House tradition? The inspiration for the tradition was not his harmonious backup singers or his luxuriant mustache, but his 1973 hit recording, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.” From those pop music origins grew the tradition of wearing a colored ribbon to mark major events, a practice that was taken up by the House during joint sessions and meetings of Congress.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Practice & Traditions

“The City Scavenger Butters Your Bread”

by History on July 18, 2013

What piece of legislation best illustrates the tensions facing Congress when it attempts to regulate the diverse U.S. economy? One about butter: the Oleomargarine Act of 1886.

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Categories: Institution, Legislation

Smoke If You’ve Got ‘Em

by Art on July 10, 2013

Hamilton Fish—that doesn’t sound like a great name for a cigar. But for the average smoker a century ago, the name was synonymous with power and position.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts

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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