Subjects – Fire
The first Sergeant at Arms, Joseph Wheaton.
May 12, 1789
On this date, the House elected its first Sergeant at Arms, Joseph Wheaton. As the chamber’s principal law enforcement official, the modern day Sergeant at Arms maintains security on the floor and for the House side of the Capitol complex.
Clerk of the House Patrick Magruder
May 24, 1813
On the opening day of the 13th Congress (1813–1815), Patrick Magruder of Maryland was elected to a fourth consecutive term as Clerk of the House.
The burning of the Capitol in 1814
August 24, 1814
In the most devastating blow suffered by the U.S. during the War of 1812, British forces overran the capital city on this date setting fire to most major public buildings, including the U.S. Capitol.
Thomas Jefferson’s library
October 10, 1814
On this date a joint resolution to purchase Thomas Jefferson’s library for the new Library of Congress was introduced in the House of Representatives.
An 1825 Library of Congress fire
December 22, 1825
On this date, the Library of Congress, then located in a room on the west side of the Capitol, caught on fire.
