US Capitol Historical Society

#OTD in #history 1860 Lincoln was elected #POTUS. “We cannot tell yet what historical lesson the event…will teach” a supporter wrote, “but the lesson cannot fail to be weighty.” True. 7 states seceded by his inauguration. And Lincoln proved himself—perhaps—our greatest President

#OTD in 1940, FDR became the only #POTUS in #history elected to a 3rd term. It came in the aftermath of the Depression, breaking a century and a half precedent set by #GeorgeWashington. In time, FDR would win a 4th term, leading Americans to call for—and achieve—a two-term limit

#OTD in 1783 the #USArmy disbanded. 7 years prior “The fate of unborn millions,” Washington predicted, depended “on the courage & conduct of this army.” Now the men returned home having witnessed “Events which have seldom, if ever before, taken place on the stage of human action”

We asked ourselves what some congressional figures would've dressed up as for Halloween..

Let us know what you think in the comments! Happy Halloween!

#HalloweenCostumes #SpookySeason #Halloween

#OTD in 1735, #JohnAdams was born. Skeptical of his place in #history, he predicted that “Mausoleums, statues, monuments will never be erected to me.” Instead, the greatest monument in his honor is the nation he helped to forge.