Features Archive

Features Archive

Every month a selection of historical essays and images from the Senate's Historical Office and the Office of the Curator are highlighted on the website. Below is an archive of past features.

Jul/Aug 2015 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Leader's Lecture Series: Mansfield and Senate Leaders

Everett Dirksen Speaks on Civil Rights

Main Page Feature

Classic Senate Speeches

People Section

Featured Biography: Arthur Vandenberg

Wilcox Remembers Vandenberg

Speech Heard Round the World

Oral Histories

Floyd M. Riddick: Senate Parliamentarian

Dorothye G. Scott: Administrative Assistant to the Senate Democratic Secretary and to the Secretary of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

Maiden Speeches

William Seward's Maiden Speech

May/June 2015 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Old Senate Chamber

Main Page Feature

Senate Meeting Places

People Section

Capitol Builder: Montgomery C. Meigs

Secretary of the Senate

Constantino Brumidi

Oral Histories

First Female Pages

Origins & Development Section

Burning of Washington

Art & History Home Page

The Senate at the End of the Civil War

Landmark Legislation: Civil War

Main Page Feature

The Senate's Civil War

People Section

Edward Dickinson Baker: Featured Biography

Jefferson Davis: Featured Biography

William Fessenden: Featured Biography

James Murray Mason: Featured Biography

Charles Sumner: Featured Biography

Benjamin Wade: Featured Biography

Henry Wilson: Featured Biography

Oral Histories

First Female Pages

Origins & Development Section

Thirteenth Amendment

Featured Senate Debate: Defining Quorum, May 1864

Art & History Home Page

Historic First in Senate Proceedings

Landmark Legislation: The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Women's History Month

People Section

Rebecca Latimer Felton: Featured Biography

Hattie Wyatt Caraway: Featured Biography

Margaret Chase Smith: Featured Biography

Nancy L. Kassebaum: Featured Biography

Carol Moseley Braun: Featured Biography

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

A Pioneer on Senate Staff

Oral Histories

First Female Pages

Origins & Development Section

A Women in the Senate

Hattie Caraway Presides

February 2015 [+]

Art & History Home Page

African Americans in Senate History

Landmark Legislation

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Black History Month

People Section

Edward Brooke: Featured Biography

Blanche Kelso Bruce: Featured Biography

Carol Moseley Braun: Featured Biography

Hiram Revels: Featured Biography

The Kate Brown Story

Oral Histories

Michael A. Johnson: Assistant Deputy Sergeant at Arms

Origins & Development Section

Washington's Farewell Address

Saving Senate Records

December 2014 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Oath We Take

Oath Reenactment Ceremony

Main Page Feature

When a New Congress Begins

People Section

Robert La Follette: Featured Biography

Maiden Speeches

Oral Histories

Maiden Speeches

Origins & Development Section

Organizing Resolutions

Presenting Credentials

October 2014 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Hattie and Huey Tour

Midterm Elections

Main Page Feature

Electing Senators: A Historical Perspective

People Section

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

The Write-in Candidate

A Narrow Victory

Oral Histories

Floyd M. Riddick Discusses a Contested Senate Election

Origins & Development Section

Direct Elections

Indirect Elections

September 2014 [+]

Art & History Home Page

August 22, 1789: President George Washington Seeks the Senate’s Advice and Consent

Journal Entry of President George Washington's Visit to the Senate, August 22, 1789

Main Page Feature

Focus on the Constitution: Advice & Consent on Treaties

People Section

Featured Biography: Robert C. Byrd

Featured Biography: Howard Baker

Approving the Panama Canal Treaties

Select Senate Foreign Relations Chairmen

Oral Histories

Arthur J. Rynearson: "Since the Senate may withhold its advice and consent for any reason whatsoever, it is implied that the Senate may condition its advice and consent."

Origins & Development Section

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

August 2014 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Burning of the Capitol

Buying Jefferson’s Library

Main Page Feature

A Capitol in Ruins

People Section

Featured Biography: William B. Giles

Pro-War Senators

Anti-War Senators

Oral Histories

"If the executive and legislative branches don't work together to a certain extent, the Constitution is not going to function properly.”

"One of the roles of Congress in looking at our foreign policy problems is to do its share in informing the people of the country about recent developments, about problems that exist, and about options that are available because we clearly need an informed electorate.”

Origins & Development Section

Senate Creates Permanent Committees

War Powers and Declarations of War

Art & History Home Page

Landmark Civil Rights Legislation

Senate Leadership

Main Page Feature

Civil Rights Act at 50

People Section

Featured Biography: Mike Mansfield

Featured Biography: Everett McKinley Dirksen

Featured Biography: Hubert Humphrey

Featured Biography: Thomas Kuchel

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Frank Valeo on the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Origins & Development Section

Legislative Origins of the Civil Rights Act

Art & History Home Page

Senate Chamber Desks

Main Page Feature

Material Culture of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Marcus A. Hanna

Vice Presidential Bust Collection

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: The Material Culture of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

Featured Document: Historic Senate Furnishings

Art & History Home Page

A Woman in the Senate

Landmark Legislation: Nineteenth Amendment

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Women's History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Nancy L. Kassebaum

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

Featured Document: Letter from the Sergeant at Arms Explaining Why Females Should Not Be Pages, 1961

Oral Histories

Senator Carol Moseley Braun: Women in the Senate

Origins & Development Section

A Pioneer on Senate Staff: Leona Wells

Hattie Caraway Presides

February 2014 [+]

Art & History Home Page

African Americans in Senate History

Landmark Legislation: Civil Rights

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Black History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Edward Brooke

The Kate Brown Story

Integrating Senate Spaces: Thomas Thorton and Louis Lautier

Oral Histories

The Senate Debates Civil Rights

Christine McCreary

Jesse R. Nichols

Origins & Development Section

Saving Senate Records

December 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Photographing the Senate

Official Senate Photo

Main Page Feature

Picturing the Senate

People Section

Senators in Caricature

Political Cartoons of Thomas Nast

The Senatorial Hall of Fame

Oral Histories

Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vanities of Famous Men

Origins & Development Section

Old Senate Chamber

Picturing Senate Committees

October 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Treaty of Versailles

Political Cartoon: "Lamb from the Slaughter"

Main Page Feature

Advice & Consent: Treaties

People Section

Featured Biography: Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr.

Party Secretaries

The Irreconcilables

Oral Histories

Aruthur J. Rynearson: Office of the Senate Legislative Counsel

Origins & Development Section

Origins & Developments

September 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Senate Celebrates Constitution Day

Landmark Legislation: The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution

Main Page Feature

Amending the Constitution: 100 Years of Direct Election

People Section

Featured Biography: Joseph L. Bristow

Key Pittman Barely Elected

Oral Histories

Floyd M. Riddick: Senate Parliamentarian Discusses the Constitution

Origins & Development Section

Featured Documents: Petitions From the State Legislatures

August 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Senatorial Courtesy and Discipline

Traditions of the Senate

Main Page Feature

Idea of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Alben Barkley

Senate "Folkways"

A Senate Journal

Oral Histories

Idea of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

The Senate's Need to Modernize

The Senate as Protector of Minority Rights

Art & History Home Page

Senatorial Courtesy and Discipline

Traditions of the Senate

Main Page Feature

Idea of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Robert A. Taft

The Senate Type

The Senate's Obligation to Lead

Oral Histories

Idea of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

Civility in the Senate

The Senate's Rules

Art & History Home Page

The Senate as Middle Ground

What Makes the Senate Work

Main Page Feature

Idea of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: George Hoar

The Sober Second Thought of the People

The Senate as a Continuing Body

Oral Histories

Idea of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

The Necessity of the Senate

The Senate as a Balance Wheel

Art & History Home Page

Watergate Hearing Begins

Leaks Lead to Open Hearing

Main Page Feature

Inside a Senate Investigation: Watergate 40 Years Later

People Section

Featured Biography: Howard Henry Baker, Jr.

Featured Biography: Sam Ervin

Sam Dash, Majority Counsel

Fred Thompson, Minority Counsel

Oral Histories

Watergate and the Senate

Origins & Development Section

Watergate's Legislative Legacy

Watergate Committee Issues Subpoenas

Art & History Home Page

Mike Mansfield and Senate Leadership

Everett Dirksen Speaks on Civil Rights

Main Page Feature

Classic Senate Speeches

People Section

Featured Biography: Arthur Vandenberg

Wilcox Remembers Vandenberg

Speech Heard Round the World

Oral Histories

Classic Senate Speeches

Origins & Development Section

History of Maiden Speeches

William Seward's Maiden Speech

Art & History Home Page

A Woman in the Senate

Landmark Legislation: Nineteenth Amendment

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Woman's History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Nancy L. Kassebaum

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

Featured Document: Letter from the Sergeant at Arms Explaining Why Females Should Not Be Pages, 1961

Oral Histories

Senator Carol Moseley Braun: Women in the Senate

Origins & Development Section

A Pioneer on Senate Staff: Leona Wells

Hattie Caraway Presides

February 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

African Americans in Senate History

Landmark Legislation: Civil Rights

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Black History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Edward Brooke

The Kate Brown Story

Integrating Senate Spaces: Thomas Thorton and Louis Lautier

Oral Histories

The Senate Debates Civil Rights

Christine McCreary

Jesse R. Nichols

Origins & Development Section

Saving Senate Records

January 2013 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Oath We Take

Oath Reenactment Ceremony

Main Page Feature

When a New Congress Begins

People Section

Robert La Follette: A Featured Biography

Maiden Speeches

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Maiden Speeches

Origins & Development Section

Organizing Resolutions

Presenting Credentials

November 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Becoming a Senator

Remarks by Senator Byrd at the Orientation of New Senators

Main Page Feature

Before Taking the Oath

People Section

Senator William Proxmire's First Day

Taking the Oath in Hospital

Assisting a New Senator

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: New Senators' Orientation Program

Origins & Development Section

Senate Traditions

Senate Rules & Procedures

October 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Hattie and Huey Tour

Senators and Presidential Elections

Main Page Feature

Electing Senators: A Historical Perspective

People Section

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

The Write-in Candidate

A Narrow Victory

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Floyd M. Riddick Discusses a Contested Senate Election

Origins & Development Section

Indirect Elections

Direct Elections

September 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Senate Celebrates Constitution Day

Constitution Day

Main Page Feature

Celebrating the Constitution

People Section

Featured Biography: Oliver Ellsworth

The Senate's Constitutional Officers

A Great Compromise

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Floyd M. Riddick discusses the Constitution

Origins & Development Section

Advice & Consent

August 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Senate in Executive Session

An Extraordinary Session

Main Page Feature

Sessions of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Robert Taft

The Senate's Constitutional Officers

Turnip Day Session

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Senate Sessions

Origins & Development Section

Joint Sessions and Meetings

Art & History Home Page

Senate Chamber Desks

Main Page Feature

Material Culture of the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Marcus A. Hanna

Vice Presidential Bust Collection

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: The Material Culture of the Senate

Origins & Development Section

Featured Document: Historic Senate Furnishings

Art & History Home Page

Samuel Morse's Capitol Experiment

Featured Document: June 3, 1844

Main Page Feature

Technology in the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Estes Kefauver

Televising the Crime Hearings

The Senate Online

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Technology in the Senate

Origins & Development Section

The Senate on the Air

Art & History Home Page

Senators Elected by State Legislatures

Landmark Legislation: The 17th Amendment to the Constitution

Main Page Feature

States in the Senate

People Section

Featured Biography: Joseph L. Bristow

Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper

National Statuary Hall

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Richard A. Arenberg

Richard A. Arenberg

Origins & Development Section

The Framers Debate State Representation

Art & History Home Page

A Woman in the Senate

Landmark Legislation: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Women's History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Nancy L. Kassebaum

Smith vs. Cormier, 1960

Photo Exhibits

Margaret Chase Smith

Oral Histories

Senate Voices: Ruth Young Watt

Dorothye G. Scott

Ruth Young Watt

Origins & Development Section

Hattie Caraway Presides

February 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

African Americans in Senate History

Landmark Legislation: Civil Rights

Main Page Feature

Celebrating Black History Month

People Section

Featured Biography: Edward Brooke

The Kate Brown Story

Integrating Senate Spaces: Thomas Thorton and Louis Lautier

Oral Histories

The Senate Debates Civil Rights

Christine McCreary

Jesse R. Nichols

Origins & Development Section

Saving Senate Records

January 2012 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Old Senate Chamber

Main Page Feature

Senate Meeting Places

People Section

Montgomery C. Meigs

Secretary of the Senate

Constantino Brumidi

Origins & Development Section

Federal Hall and Congress Hall

December 2011 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Rare Joint Meeting Held in the Senate Chamber

Congress Investigates Pearl Harbor Attack

Main Page Feature

The Senate and the Second World War

People Section

Featured Biography: Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

The Senate Chaplain

Senators on Combat Tour

Origins & Development Section

Official Declarations of War by Congress

November 2011 [+]

Art & History Home Page

The Treaty of Versailles

Political Cartoon: "Lamb from the Slaughter

Main Page Feature

Advice & Consent: Treaties

People Section

Featured Biography: Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr.

The Irreconcilables

Origins & Development Section

October 2011 [+]

Art & History Home Page

Featured Bio: Harry S. Truman

The Truman Committee

Main Page Feature

Learn about the Senate: Officers & Senate Leaders

People Section

Featured Bio: Nelson Aldrich

The Senate Four

Office of the Parliamentarian