U.S. Capitol Historical Society

1774-1799 | 1800-1824 | 1825-1849 | 1850-1874 | 1875-1899 | 1900-1924 | 1925-1949 | 1950-1974 | 1975-Modern

1800	April	24	Congress appropriated $5000 for the establishment of a reference library. The Library of Congress remained in the Capitol until the completion of the Jefferson Building in 1898, one of three Library of Congress buildings.
	November	22	Congress moved from Philadelphia to the newly built Capitol, yet only the north wing of the Capitol was completed.
	November	22	Pres. John Adams addressed the first joint session of Congress in the Capitol.
1801	February	4	John Marshall appointed Chief Justice of the United States. He would continue to serve until his death in 1835.
	February	13	Judiciary Act of 1801 created a separate system of circuit courts of appeal, standing beneath the federal district courts and the Supreme Court.
	March	4	Thomas Jefferson became the 3^rd President following his Oath of Office in the Capitol. His Vice President was Aaron Burr, Jeffersonian Republican. Since Jefferson and Burr both had the same number of electoral votes, the decision went to the House of Representatives who finally chose Jefferson. Both Houses of Congress were controlled by the Jefffersonian Republicans. In his inaugural address, Jefferson said "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."
1802	April	6	Jefferson persuaded Congress to abolish all internal taxes, leaving the only source of income from the custom duties and the sale of western lands.
1803	February	24	In Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court showed authority in deciding that a Congressional act was unconstitutional.
1803	October	17	Jefferson called a special session of Congress to ratify the Louisiana Purchase treaty, which gave the Louisiana territory to the U.S. for $15 million. This land addition doubled the size of the United States.
1804	June	15	The 12th amendment was ratified stipulating that the electors should vote for President and Vice President as separate and distinct candidates.
1805	March	4	Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated for a second term as president, having defeated Federalist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. His new vice president is George Clinton.
1809	March	1	The Non-Intercourse Act, allowing American vessels to leave port, denied the right of United States trade with either France or England.
1809	March	4	James Madison, Jeffersonian Republican, was inaugurated the 4^th President, having defeated Federalist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney; his Vice President was George Clinton, Jeffersonian Republican.
1810	May	1	Macon’s Bill No. 2 opened trade with England or France, so long as American vessels were not confiscated.
1811	January	15	Congress adopted the No-Transfer Resolution warning Europe that the United States would not be idle if Spain passed its North American colonies "into the hands of any foreign power."
1811	February	20	Congress abandoned the Bank of the United States.
1812	June	18	Congress declared war on England by a narrow vote; the Senate, 19 to 13, the House, 79 to 49.
1813	March	4	James Madison inaugurated for a second term as president, with vice president Elbridge Gerry, having defeated DeWitt Clinton.
1814	August	24	The Capitol was set on fire by British forces, who were told to "destroy and lay waste."
1814	December	24	Treaty of Ghent was signed, officially ending the War of 1812.
1816	April	27	Congress imposed a new tariff, putting tariffs at protective levels for the textile and iron industries. This was the first protective tariff in American history.
1817	January	7	President Madison signed a law that re-established the Bank of the United States, issuing a second charter lasting 20 years.
	March	4	James Monroe, Jeffersonian Republican, was inaugurated as the 5^th President, having defeated Federalist Rufus King; his Vice President was D.D. Tompkins. Monroe was the first president to hold his inauguration outside on the steps of the temporary Capitol.
	April	27	Congress passed the first protective tariff establishing a 25% rate increase on all imported goods. The tariff secured both northern and southern support.
1819	January		The Panic of 1819, due to high inflation from a lack of one specific currency and large debt from the War of 1812 with England, lasted six years.
	February	13	House of Representatives debated Missouri's statehood. Representative James Tallmadge Jr. of New York proposed a stipulation that no more slaves could be imported into Missouri and all slave children born after statehood would be freed once they turn 25 years old. The bill passed the House with the Tallmadge stipulation.
	March	6	The Supreme Court upheld the "implied powers of Congress" in McCulloch v. Maryland.
1820	March	6	Missouri Compromise of 1820 was ratified calling for slavery free states and territories north of the 36'30 boundary.
1823	December	2	President Monroe asserted the Monroe Doctrine in a message to Congress.
1824	Winter		Republicans split, with four different candidates running for the presidency: Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford, Speaker of the House Henry Clay, and General Andrew Jackson.
1824	October		The Capitol Rotunda, considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens, was completed.