Treasures of Congress

An exhibit in the National Archives Rotunda, Washington, DC

January 21, 2000—February 19, 2001

Few institutions have been as central to the course of American history as the U.S. Congress. Most of the great issues in our national life have been played out there, and many of our most memorable political figures have served in the House of Representatives or the Senate. Congress's pivotal position was built into the American system in 1787. The framers of the Constitution described Congress as the “first branch.” This label came about not only because the duties, powers, and responsibilities of Congress are listed in the Constitution before those of the other two branches, but also because the framers believed in legislative supremacy. The Constitution gives Congress the critical powers of raising revenue, regulating commerce, declaring war, coining money, and fleshing out the executive and judicial branches.

It is not surprising then, that the significant documents of congressional history are often key documents in American history. These bills, resolutions, petitions, and letters are more than relics of a distant past. They connect us intimately to the great decisions made by our representatives and personalize the lawmaking process in ways no textbook can. In short, the records of Congress document the history of American representative democracy. This exhibition draws upon the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration's Center for Legislative Archives and presents a sampling of the landmark documents created by, or delivered to, Congress.

Records of Congress displayed in this exhibition are courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate

Creating a Legislature

The First Federal Congress

The First Congress: The Bill of Rights

The Formation of Political Parties: Early Animosities

The Formation of Political Parties: The Alien and Sedition Acts

Congress Finds a Home

The House Selects a President

The War of 1812: The Capitol in Flames

Conflict with the Executive: The Bank War

Struggles over Slavery: the "Gag" rule

Struggles over Slavery: The Compromise of 1850

Congress and The Civil War

Reconstruction: Roads to Reunion

Reconstruction: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Congress and the American West: The Transcontinental Railroad

Progressive Reform: Speaker Cannon

Progressive Reform: The Direct Election of Senators

Progressive Reform: Votes for Women

Congress and the New Deal: Social Security

Congress, Neutrality, and Lend-Lease

Congress Declares War: Day of Infamy

Bipartisan Foreign Policy: The Marshall Plan

Preserving Senatorial Traditions: The Censure of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy

Congress and the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Advice and Consent: The Panama Canal TreatiesCreating a Legislature