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United States Capitol

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US Capitol west side
US Capitol west side

The United States Capitol, often called The Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Though no longer at the geographic center of the federal district, the Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well as its four quadrants. Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the 1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for the bicameral legislature, the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing. The massive dome was completed around 1866 just after the American Civil War. Like the principal buildings of the executive and judicial branches, the Capitol is built in a neoclassical style and has a white exterior. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to as fronts, though only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article United States Capitol (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

United States Capitol
East Front Plaza, Washington

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N 38.889722222222 ° E -77.008888888889 °
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United States Capitol

East Front Plaza
20534 Washington
District of Columbia, United States
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call+12022268000

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capitol.gov

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US Capitol west side
US Capitol west side
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1834 State of the Union Address

The 1834 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, to the 23rd United States Congress on December 1, 1834. Jackson highlighted the continued prosperity and peaceful conditions in the nation, praising the harvests and the flourishing commerce. He urged Congress to ensure that "virtue and enterprise" remained central to the country's development. On foreign affairs, Jackson discussed ongoing diplomatic relations with European nations, including Great Britain, regarding the unresolved North East boundary dispute. He also reported delays in France fulfilling its financial obligations under the 1831 treaty, and expressed disappointment over the French Chamber of Deputies' refusal to appropriate funds for indemnities owed to American citizens. Jackson recommended Congress authorize "reprisals upon French property" if France continued its delay. Domestically, Jackson reiterated his opposition to the Second Bank of the United States, criticizing its actions as a "scourge of the people." He condemned the bank for using its funds to influence elections and for the illegal withholding of dividends owed to the federal government. Jackson called for Congress to fully sever ties with the bank, recommending that laws connecting the government to the bank be repealed and the public stock be sold. The President also addressed the state of Native American affairs, particularly the ongoing Indian Removal efforts. He reported progress in negotiating the relocation of the Creek and Seminole tribes but expressed disappointment that the Cherokee had not yet agreed to move west of the Mississippi River. Jackson emphasized that emigration was necessary to preserve the remaining tribes.

1829 State of the Union Address

The 1829 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 8, 1829, to the 21st United States Congress. This was Jackson's first address to Congress after his election, and it set the tone for his presidency, emphasizing limited government, states’ rights, and the removal of Native Americans from their lands. In his address, Jackson expressed satisfaction with the nation's peace and prosperity, noting that the country was “at peace with all mankind” and that domestic affairs were progressing well. He acknowledged, however, unresolved disputes with foreign powers, particularly Great Britain, France, and Spain. Jackson assured Congress that his administration would work to settle these differences amicably, while maintaining a firm stance on protecting American rights. A significant part of the address was dedicated to internal improvements and the national debt. Jackson called for a cautious approach to government spending, warning against the dangers of corruption and advocating for reducing the national debt. “It is time to check the tendency to lavish expenditure and make our government as simple and economical as possible,” Jackson urged. Jackson also called for a constitutional amendment to reform the presidential election process. He suggested eliminating the role of electoral colleges and the House of Representatives in selecting the president, advocating for a direct popular vote to ensure that the will of the people would always prevail in presidential elections. The address is also notable for Jackson's call to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southern states. Jackson argued that their removal to territories west of the Mississippi River was necessary to protect their survival and to avoid conflict with state governments. He stated, "Humanity and national honor demand that every effort should be made to avert so great a calamity," referring to the potential extinction of Native tribes. Jackson's first State of the Union address marked the beginning of the major policies of his administration, including limited federal intervention, states' rights, and Native American removal, setting the stage for his presidency.

1853 State of the Union Address

The 1853 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 14th president of the United States, Franklin Pierce, to the 33rd United States Congress on December 5, 1853. This address marked Pierce's first annual message to Congress, emphasizing themes of national prosperity, international relations, and the importance of federal restraint in domestic policy. Pierce opened by celebrating the peace and prosperity the United States was experiencing, calling it "a time of remarkable progress" and "unusual blessings." He emphasized the importance of national integrity and suggested that the nation's success was sustained by the favor of Providence. A major focus of Pierce's address was foreign relations. He discussed a variety of diplomatic challenges, including disputes with Great Britain regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic. Pierce announced that negotiations had been opened to establish more favorable agreements for American fishermen. Pierce also highlighted issues in Central America and his hope that disputes over British influence in the region could be resolved amicably. Additionally, he referenced tensions over the seizure of Hungarian-born Martin Koszta by Austrian authorities, expressing that Koszta was entitled to U.S. protection, an assertion that had drawn Austria's protests. "The acts of our officers, under the circumstances of the case, were justifiable," Pierce asserted. Regarding domestic issues, Pierce focused on federalism, stressing that federal powers should be limited to those clearly outlined in the Constitution and advocating a restrained role for the federal government. He argued that internal improvements, including road construction, should be carefully considered, particularly regarding state and federal jurisdiction. Reflecting the expansionist spirit of the time, Pierce mentioned the significance of recent territory acquisitions, predicting that the population might reach 100 million within decades. He urged Congress to prioritize infrastructure that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, especially advocating for the construction of a transcontinental railroad. Pierce closed by reflecting on the passing of Vice President William R. King earlier in the year. King had taken the oath of office in Cuba due to illness but passed away in April 1853 shortly after returning to Alabama. Pierce acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed his commitment to promoting "the honor and advancement of my country."

1965 State of the Union Address

The 1965 State of the Union Address was given by Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, on Monday, January 4, 1965, to the 89th United States Congress in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives. It was Johnson's second State of the Union Address. Presiding over this joint session was House speaker John W. McCormack, accompanied by President pro tempore Carl Hayden, in his capacity as the acting president of the Senate since the office of Vice President was vacant. (This was because Vice President-elect Hubert Humphrey was not sworn in until January 20, 1965.) To date, Carl Hayden is the last president pro tempore to preside at a State of the Union Address. In this speech, Johnson stated that the state of the union was dependent on the state of the world and discussed various issues of foreign policy including the Vietnam War. Johnson further discussed the aims of his Great Society initiative and set forth several proposals to advance it, stating We worked for two centuries to climb this peak of prosperity. But we are only at the beginning of the road to the Great Society. Ahead now is a summit where freedom from the wants of the body can help fulfill the needs of the spirit. We built this Nation to serve its people. We want to grow and build and create, but we want progress to be the servant and not the master of man. We do not intend to live in the midst of abundance, isolated from neighbors and nature, confined by blighted cities and bleak suburbs, stunted by a poverty of learning and an emptiness of leisure. The Great Society asks not how much, but how good; not only how to create wealth but how to use it; not only how fast we are going, but where we are headed. This was the first State of the Union Address to be broadcast on television in a prime-time slot in the evening. The New York Times noted that this decision likely doubled or tripled the size of the audience. It also enabled major television networks to promote the event and have commentators on hand to discuss it. The first State of the Union Address to be delivered in the evening for a radio broadcast was Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1936 State of the Union Address, and the first State of the Union Address to be broadcast on television was Harry S. Truman's 1947 State of the Union Address, but this address was the first to be broadcast both on television and in the evening.