United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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History, Art & Archives of the
U.S. House of Representatives

Putting One Over on Teddy

by History on January 31, 2013

Now Why Didn't I Think of That!/tiles/non-collection/1/1-31-berryman-wilson-nara.xml Image courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
When Woodrow Wilson became President a century ago, he smashed an old tradition. Wilson had long suspected that the President could act as a prime minister for Congress, formulating party program and directing party strategy. The secret to this kind of leadership was the use of oratorical power to convince others of what was in the public interest. Wilson intended to replace written presidential messages with a direct address to a joint session, expecting this would seize the imagination of the country, give him the momentum to enact his policies, and set a new tone for the administration.

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Categories: Presidents, State of the Union

Mr. Sam’s House

by History on January 22, 2013

Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn/tiles/non-collection/1/1-22-opening-day-rayburn-2005_016_043.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
On January 3, 1949, only a few years after America’s triumph in World War II, Representatives gathered in the House Chamber for the opening day of the 81st Congress (1949–1951). On a day full of tradition and fanfare, the families of many Members packed the galleries and the House Floor to watch the proceedings.

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Categories: Speakers of the House, Opening Day, Oral History
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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov