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Declaration of War Gavel

Declaration of War Gavel/tiles/collection/1/1926.xml
Declaration of War Gavel/tiles/collection/1/1927.xml
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Date

1941

Dimensions

12 1/2 x 3 3/4 x 2 in. (31.8 x 9.5 x 5.1 cm)

Accession Number

2005.124.000

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of Irving Swanson

Object Details

On December 11, 1941, the House approved a declaration of war against Axis Powers Germany and Italy—the same day that Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. Reading Clerk Irving Swanson read President Roosevelt’s swift rejoinder requesting a declaration of war against both nations. Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn presented this gavel, used during this historic session, to Swanson in appreciation for reading Roosevelt’s message and taking the roll call vote.

Rights and Reproduction Information

Objects

Declaration of War Against Germany and Italy
Declaration of War Against Germany and Italy

Related Content

Irving Swanson talks about the gavel
Irving Swanson talks about the gavel
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov