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The Smithsonian Institution, which today includes approximately two dozen museums and research centers, was founded in 1846. It was named for English scientist James Smithson, who bequeathed his estate to the United States to create an establishment "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among
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For decades after America won its independence from Great Britain, many of its people still lacked basic rights. The drive for woman suffrage was formalized at the 1848 women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, but not until 1920 (with the ratification of the nineteenth amendment to the
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At his March 4 inaugural on the steps of the newly completed Capitol, Lincoln expressed his hopes for reconstruction of the Union after the Civil War. He urged moderation, humility, and humanity in dealings with the South. Shown in the center of the scene (from left to right) are Vice President
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Responding to Russian territorial claims along the northern Pacific coast, and concerned that European nations would attempt to seize recently independent Latin American states, President James Monroe announced a new national policy. No new colonies would be allowed in the Americas, and European
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In his farewell address at the end of his second term as president, George Washington urged America, "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all." He is depicted here at his desk with Alexander Hamilton, who helped him write the address. Left: The sawyer
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Meeting in New York at Federal Hall, the first federal Congress initiated the committee system, levied taxes and imposts, and enacted a judicial system. The Senate exercised its powers of advice and consent. Most important, the Congress passed the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which
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In June 1776 five delegates to the Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. The mural depicts (from left to right) Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and John Adams. On the wall in the background is a portrait of English philosopher
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Following the Revolutionary War, the new American government was first organized under the Articles of Confederation, but that document gave the federal government too little authority to be effective. Convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, this convention wrote a new Constitution that
Projects
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Several USBG employees recently led projects inside the Conservatory to improve the growing spaces and showcase more of the permanent plant collection.
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Delegates from twelve colonies met in 1774 in Philadelphia to discuss responses to increased British oppression. This convention, the First Continental Congress, formally declared that colonists should have the same rights as Englishmen; they also agreed to form the Continental Association, which
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In 1754 the British government asked colonial representatives to meet in Albany, New York, to develop a treaty with Native Americans and plan the defense of the colonies against France. Exceeding these limited objectives, the assembly adopted a plan developed by Benjamin Franklin for government of
Doing Good
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Having a purpose, even amid profound grief, often sustains people who have experienced unspeakable losses. One AOC employee has found such a purpose, and with it hope and a drive to help others struggling with mental health challenges.
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The Mayflower Compact, a document signed aboard the ship Mayflower in 1620, set forth principles of tolerance and liberty for the government of a new colony in the New World. Pilgrim leader William Brewster is shown signing the document; John Standish, the colony's military leader, stands at left
Projects
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The amount of talent needed for all the projects around the Capitol campus is high, and fortunately the AOC boasts a deep bench of employees.
Public Notice
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The U.S. Capitol Grounds has successfully "branched out" as a significant arboretum — its accreditation was recently increased from Level II to Level III by ArbNet.
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) works behind the scenes to ensure that everything is impeccable for this important event — even the smallest details, like monitoring the temperature to ensure it's comfortable for the hundreds of members, staff and visitors who fill the House Chamber.
History & Discoveries
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Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
History & Discoveries
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When Jim Kaufmann, Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Director, happened across an 1891 street-sweeping map while going through cultural landscape reports, he had no idea how simple an old map could make caring for the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Behind the Scenes
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Throughout 2020 while the United States Botanic Garden was closed to the public, the Horticulture team continued stewarding its plant collection. Several Horticulture team members were paying special attention to a new batch of plants grown from seeds harvested during a plant-collecting trip to
Projects
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While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
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Joseph R. DiPietro is the Chief of Operations and Acting Architect of the Capitol. As Acting Architect, he leads the agency's mission to preserve and maintain the historic buildings and grounds across the Capitol campus.
Public Notice
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For the tenth consecutive year, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) received the Association of Government Accountants' (AGA) prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).
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Recently mentioned links on Architect of the Capitol (AOC) social media posts.
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Stone preservation is a top priority for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) as nearly every building is enveloped in stone and all have problems.
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At the U.S. Capitol Building the Senate and the House of Representatives come together to discuss, debate and deliberate national policy; develop consensus; and craft the country's laws.
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In the pre-fire period this elliptical space housed the Senate wing’s main staircase. Benjamin Henry Latrobe remarked to Thomas Jefferson that "it was one of the most remarkable parts of the Capitol."
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The nation's 100 senators sit at individual desks arranged on a tiered semicircular platform facing a raised rostrum. A visitor's gallery overlooks the chamber on four sides.
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Located north of the Capitol Rotunda is the richly decorated Old Senate Chamber. Designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, this room was home to the U.S. Senate from 1819 until 1859 and later to the U.S. Supreme Court from 1860-1935.
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Conceived in the age of neoclassicism, the Rotunda was intended to recall the Pantheon, the ancient Roman temple. Bulfinch created in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda an ambitious orchestration of architecture, sculpture and painting.
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In addition to housing the Supreme Court, this space later served as a committee room, a law library, a meeting room, and a storage room. Today, it has been restored to its mid–19th-century appearance.