• President Reagan Delivers a Toast at the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon
    Michael Evans
    St. Patrick's Day
    Congress
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan delivering a toast at a St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the United States Capitol was taken by Michael Evans on March 17, 1988. Also pictured are Representative Jim Wright, diplomat Padraic MacKernan, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
  • President Obama Delivers a St. Patrick's Day Toast at the Capitol
    Pete Souza
    St. Patrick's Day
    head of state
    Washington, D.C.
    Congress
    speeches
    U.S. Capitol
    This White House photograph of President Barack Obama delivering a toast during a St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the United States Capitol was taken by Pete Souza on March 17, 2015. President Obama is pictured alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny of Ireland, also known as the prime minister.
  • President Obama at Lunch with Speaker Pelosi and Taoiseach of Ireland
    Pete Souza
    head of state
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    St. Patrick's Day
    Congress
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama has lunch with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Taoiseach Brian Cowen of Ireland on March 17, 2009. President Obama and Cowen, the prime minister of Ireland, attended a St. Patrick's Day lunch hosted by Speaker Pelosi in the Rayburn House Office Building of the United States Capitol complex.
  • President Obama Leaves St. Patrick's Day Lunch at the Capitol
    Lawrence Jackson
    head of state
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    St. Patrick's Day
    Congress
    In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, President Barack Obama departs the United States Capitol on March 17, 2015. President Obama attended a St. Patrick's Day lunch at the Capitol alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny of Ireland, right. Accompanying Obama and Kenny were Representative Peter King, left, and Speaker of the House John Boehner, second from the left. Kenny served as taoiseach, or prime minister, from 2011 to 2017.
  • St. Patrick's Day Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol
    Michael Evans
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol Building
    St. Patrick's Day
    Congress
    In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan attends a luncheon in honor of St. Patrick's Day hosted by Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill at the United States Capitol. Also pictured are House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel and Representative Edward P. Boland. Michael Evans photographed this lunch on March 17, 1983.
  • United States Indian Band Performs for Vice President Curtis
    National Photo Company
    music
    U.S. Capitol
    American Indians
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph, taken on April 26, 1929, musicians from the United States Indian Band perform for Vice President Charles Curtis on the steps of the United States Capitol Building. The band, which included representatives from 13 tribal nations, visited the Capitol to pay their respects to Curtis and Senator William Bliss Pine of Oklahoma. Born in Kansas to a white father and Native American mother, and raised by his maternal grandparents, Curtis was the first person of Native American descent as well as the first person of color to serve as vice president. He served as vice president to President Herbert Hoover.
  • United States Indian Band Performs for Vice President Curtis
    National Photo Company
    music
    U.S. Capitol
    American Indians
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph, taken on April 26, 1929, musicians from the United States Indian Band perform for Vice President Charles Curtis on the steps of the United States Capitol Building. The band, which included representatives from 13 tribal nations, visited the Capitol to pay their respects to Curtis and Oklahoma Senator William Bliss Pine. Born in Kansas to a white father and Native American mother, and raised by his maternal grandparents, Curtis was the first person of Native American descent as well as the first person of color to serve as vice president. He served as vice president for President Herbert Hoover.
  • Vice President Curtis at Work in his Office on a Hot Day
    National Photo Company
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph, taken on July 11, 1929, Vice President Charles Curtis mops sweat off his brow as he sits beside an electric fan at his desk on a hot day at his office in the United States Capitol Building. That week, temperatures in the nation's capital were unseasonably warm, with highs exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot and humid summers have long been a part of life in Washington, D.C., with many presidents electing to travel to retreats such as Camp David during the summer months to escape the oppressive heat.
  • Mrs. Bush Responds to September 11 Terrorist Attacks
    Unknown
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    September 11
    First Family
    Congress
    First Lady Visit
    In this photograph, First Lady Laura Welch Bush speaks at the United States Capitol Building following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, New York on the morning of September 11, 2001. Mrs. Bush had planned on visiting the Capitol that day to brief the United States Senate Committee on Education on the White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development she had hosted that July. Here, Mrs. Bush is pictured standing between senators Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
  • Mrs. Bush Responds to September 11 Terrorist Attacks
    Unknown
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    September 11
    staff
    In this photograph, taken on September 11, 2001, First Lady Laura Welch Bush watches media coverage of the morning's terrorist attacks from the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts at the United States Capitol Building. Mrs. Bush had planned on visiting the Capitol that day to brief the United States Senate Committee on Education on the White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development she had hosted that July. Here, the the first lady is pictured at right with her chief of staff Andrea "Andi" Ball (center), and an unidentified staff member.
  • William Andrew Johnson
    Harris & Ewing
    staff
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    Residence staff
    This photograph of William Andrew Johnson was taken in February 1937. William Andrew Johnson was born into slavery in the household of Andrew Johnson and brought to the Johnson White House to work as a free servant after his emancipation. In 1937, after being interviewed by journalist Ernie Pyle, William Johnson gained national recognition as the last surviving individual to be formerly enslaved by an American president. As a result, he was invited to the White House to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where the president gifted Johnson a silver-headed, engraved cane. In this photograph, Johnson is pictured with the cane on the steps of the United States Capitol Building.
  • President Carter Delivers Inaugural Address
    Bernard Gotfryd
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph, newly sworn-in President Jimmy Carter delivers his inaugural address from the east portico of the United States Capitol. President Carter’s running mate, Vice President Walter F. Mondale, can be seen at right. This photograph was taken by Bernard Gotfryd on January 20, 1977.
  • President Carter Takes the Oath of Office
    Bernard Gotfryd
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court administering the Oath of Office to Jimmy Carter from the east portico of United States Capitol was taken by Bernard Gotfryd on January 20, 1977. Next to the two stands First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
  • Inauguration Ceremony for President Bill Clinton
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph shows the first inauguration ceremony of President Bill Clinton during his Oath of Office. Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the Supreme Court administered the Oath of Office to Clinton from the west front of the United States Capitol on January 20, 1993.
  • President Carter Takes the Oath of Office
    Library of Congress
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    This photograph of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court administering the Oath of Office to Jimmy Carter on the east portico of United States Capitol was taken on January 20, 1977. Surround the two are First Lady Rosalynn Carter, outgoing President Gerald F. Ford, and newly sworn-in Vice President Walter F. Mondale.
  • President Reagan Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan being sworn-in by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court was taken on January 20, 1981. President Reagan was sworn-in on a bible held by his wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan, for his inauguration ceremony. Reagan's inauguration was the first held from the west front of the United States Capitol. Among the attendees to the ceremony were President George H. W. Bush and Second Lady Barbara Bush and the outgoing administration of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter F. Mondale.
  • President Clinton Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist administers the Oath of Office to President Bill Clinton from the west front of the United States Capitol on January 20, 1993. The ceremony marked President Clinton’s first inauguration. Behind President Clinton is newly sworn-in Vice President Al Gore.
  • President Obama and Vice President Biden at the 2013 Inauguration
    Chuck Kennedy
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    Washington, D.C.
    In this photograph by Chuck Kennedy, President Barack Obama talks with Vice President Joe Biden during the inaugural swearing-in ceremony at the United States. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 21, 2013. The day marked their second inauguration. President Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, and Vice President Biden's wife, Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden are behind them. Pictured to the right are members of the Supreme Court including Chief Justice John G. Roberts and associate justices Sonia Sotomayor and Antonin Scalia.
  • President Clinton Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    In this photograph, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court administers the Oath of Office to President Bill Clinton from the west front of the United States Capitol on January 20, 1997. This was President Clinton’s second inauguration. Standing next to the two are First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea. Vice President Al Gore can be seen observing the ceremony behind the Clinton family.
  • President Clinton Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    In this photograph, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court administers the Oath of Office to Bill Clinton from the west front of the United States Capitol on January 20, 1993. The 1993 ceremonies marked President Clinton’s first inauguration. Standing next to the two are First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea.
  • President Carter Takes the Oath of Office
    Bernard Godfryd
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court administering the Oath of Office to Jimmy Carter on the east portico of United States Capitol was taken by Bernard Gotfryd on January 20, 1977. Next to them stands First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Among those in the crowd were outgoing President Gerald R. Ford, former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, newly sworn-in Vice President Walter F. Mondale, and the Carters’ youngest child, daughter Amy.
  • President Bush Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph is of President George H. W. Bush taking the Oath of Office on January 20, 1989. The Oath of Office was administered by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court. Standing next to the two is First Lady Barabara Bush. Recently sworn-in Vice President Dan Quayle is also visible behind Mrs. Bush.
  • President Reagan Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan taking the Oath of Office at the United States Capitol was taken on January 20, 1981. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court administered the Oath of Office. Reagan's inauguration was the first held on the west front of the United States Capitol. Among the witnesses to the ceremony were First Lady Nancy Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and Second Lady Barbara Bush.
  • President Obama is Sworn into Office
    Sonya N. Hebert
    inaugurations
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    First Family
    U.S. Capitol
    In this photograph taken by Sonya N. Herbert, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. of the Supreme Court administers the Oath of Office to President Barack Obama during the inaugural swearing-in ceremony at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 21, 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama holds a Bible that belonged to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Lincoln Bible, which was used at President Obama’s 2009 inaugural ceremony. Daughters Malia and Sasha stand with their parents.
  • President Johnson Speaks at Voting Rights Act Ceremony
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    U.S. Capitol
    Bill Signing
    civil rights
    This photograph is of President Lyndon B. Johnson delivering remarks in the Capitol Rotunda prior to the signing ceremony for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which took place on August 6, 1965. The bill was signed in the President's Room. The Voting Rights Act was designed to the "enforce the 15th amendment" and remove the barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The statue's provisions included: banning literacy tests, empowering the attorney general to investigate the unlawful use of poll taxes, and made the act of harassing, intimidating, threatening to prevent a lawfully registered voter from voting punishable by a fine of up $10,000, a five-year prison sentence or both. The legislation also allowed for the appointment of federal examiners with the ability to register qualified citizens to vote in jurisdictions where less than 50 percent of the voting age population was registered to vote. This legislation had a tremendous and immediate impact with over a quarter-million African Americans registered to vote by the end of 1965.