The History of Congress By Scheebs Mar 5, 1789 First day of Congress Period: Oct 13, 1790 to Oct 13, 2011 Congress Jun 13, 1800 Moved next to the potomic Nov 4, 1811 Henry Clay elected speaker Jun 13, 1812 War of 1812 declared Oct 13, 1819 Capitol Rebuilt Oct 13, 1820 Missouri Compemise Oct 13, 1850 21,251 post offices Oct 13, 1855 Last great speech by John C. Calhoun Sep 13, 1860 South succeeded Nov 13, 1860 Lincoln becomes president Jan 13, 1865 Slavery Band Oct 13, 1868 Johnson surives impeachment by 1 vote Apr 2, 1917 First women in congress Apr 2, 1917 Wilson goes before congess to declare war on Germany Dec 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor They declare war Nov 22, 1963 JFK killed Oct 13, 1967 Senate Foreign Resolution Oct 13, 1973 Watergate hearings