On June 4, 1919 House Joint Resolution 1, proposing a Constitutional amendment extending the right to vote to women, passed the Senate. HJ Res 1 had passed in the House on May 21. Once the proposed amendment passed Congress, it was sent to states for ratification. On August 26, 1920 the amendment was ratified and became part of the U.S. Constitution.
House Joint Resolution 1, 5/19/1919, HR 66A-B6, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives (ARC 1633885)
Congress in the Archives will feature monthly staff posts on our blog. Today’s post comes from Center archivist Kristen Wilhelm.
On May 31, 1889, one of the most famous floods in American history ravaged Johnstown, Pennsylvania, leaving 2,209 people dead. Clara Barton, president of the American Red Cross, arrived five days later and stayed until October distributing supplies and proving the relief organization had a peacetime role.
When the Senate introduced a bill granting Barton an annuity for her lifelong work during wars and catastrophes around the world, the citizens of Johnstown rallied to her side. Thirteen years after the flood, 480 signatories from Johnstown petitioned the Senate to pass the bill honoring the woman who did so much to help their crippled town survive disaster. Although Barton never received the annuity, she won the affection and appreciation of many people, the citizens of Johnstown included.
One of several petitions from the citizens of Johnstown, PA supporting the bill authorizing an annuity for Clara Barton, Sen 57A-J47, 6/2/1902, Records of the U.S. Senate.
Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? Shortly after the Civil War, a group of Union veterans called for a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers on May 30. The date was perhaps selected because flowers were in bloom all across the U.S. by late May.
In 1888, Congress declared Decoration Day a federal holiday in the District of Columbia so that veterans in federal employ could honor their fallen comrades and not lose a day’s pay. Decoration Day gradually became known as Memorial Day as the holiday expanded to commemorate veterans of all wars.
In 1968, Congress passed a law that named and moved several federal holidays. Included in H.R. 15951 was the official declaration of Memorial Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May.
H.R. 15851, 05/10/1968, Records of the U.S. Senate
Astronaut Scott Carpenter explains a phase of his Aurora 7 flight to Astronaut John Glenn on May 24, 1962. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth and Carpenter was the second. Glenn and Carpenter are the last surviving members of Mercury Seven, the first group of American astronauts. This photograph was submitted to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
Photograph of Astronaut Scott Carpenter explaining Phases of his Flight to Astronaut John Glenn, 5/24/1962, Records of the U.S. Senate
On May 20, 1797, President John Adams nominated his son, John Quincy Adams, to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the King of Prussia. JQA served in this position until 1801.
Nomination of John Quincy Adams to be Minister Plenipotentiary, 5/20/1797, McCormick Collection, Records of the U.S. Senate (ARC 306287)
Congress in the Archives will feature monthly staff posts on our blog. Today’s post comes from Center archivist Kristen Wilhelm.
Forty years ago today self proclaimed “ol’ country lawyer” Senator Sam Ervin stepped onto center stage as chairman of the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, better known as the Watergate Committee. Senator Ervin became a household name as an estimated 85% of U.S. households viewed at least some of the hearings broadcast that summer.
Attorney General John Mitchell, shown in the photo, was one of the high-level Nixon administration figures whose testimony was broadcast. For the committee, bringing the hearings directly to the people was vital. As stated in its Final Report: “The full import of the hearings could only be achieved observing the witnesses and hearing their testimony.”
Photograph of Attorney General John Mitchell, 1973, Records of the U.S. Senate
Tonight at 7 pm! Join us live or watch on Ustream as former members of Congress discuss how the White House and Congress can work together.
“Congress and the White House: Partners or Foes?” will be streamed live on our UStream channel at 7 p.m.
Peter Cook, Bloomberg TV’s chief Washington correspondent will moderate panelists Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Vic Fazio (D-CA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Larry Pressler (R-SD). Presented in partnership with U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.
Did you vote for a U.S. Senator last November? If you did, it’s thanks to the 17th Amendment. The U.S. Constitution originally called for each state legislature to choose two senators. After decades of controversy, scandal, and even William Randolph Hearst’s muckraking, S. J. Res. 39 passed both houses on May 13, 1912 and started its 11-month journey toward ratification. On April 8, 1913, Connecticut’s approval of the 17th Amendment made the direct election of senators the law of the land.
Credentials of Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas, the last Senator elected by a state legislature, 2/7/1913, Records of the U.S. Senate
“Well that’s an upsetting primary source.” —
While this comment was in reference to this morning’s letter requesting the National Guard’s assistance at Kent State, you could probably say that about many of our posts. But these comments are an opportunity we hate to miss. Sometimes history is upsetting (a lot of the time, actually). This is probably a good time to mention our post from last year:
“All the documents of “homesteaders” stealing land from Native Americans is bumming me out.”
In short, if you’re not bummed out sometimes by our posts, then we’re probably not doing our job.
But to make up for it, maybe you missed our post from Bugs Bunny’s sort-of-75th birthday?
And thanks for writing!
(via todaysdocument)
Petition from Minnie Fisher Cunningham of the Texas Woman Suffrage Association for passage of the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment” sent to Congress on May 2, 1916
The amendment passed Congress on June 4, 1919. It was ratified as the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920.
Petition from Texas Woman Suffrage Association, 5/2/1916, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives (ARC 306659)