The Organization of Congress

Do you recognize the building in the image on the right? Even if you are not sure what this particular structure is, you have seen it on the news, on your money, and throughout this course.

This building is the United States Capitol and it serves as the seat of legislative power in America. It was built in the 1790s, with the Congress meeting inside the structure for the first time in November 1800. As the size of the nation grew, so did this building, with extensions to the North and South ends beginning in the 1850s.

Both chambers of Congress meet inside the walls of this building. It also holds a large collection of American art and serves as both a functioning office building and a popular tourist attraction. It continues to serve our country as the seat of legislative power and as a symbol of American representative democracy.