The 1st Congress: The First U.S. Congress convenes under the newly ratified Constitution, with all white male property owners.

Slavery Abolished: The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery in the United States.

First Black Member of Congress: Hiram Revels of Mississippi becomes the first African American U.S. Senator.

First Woman Elected to Congress: Jeannette Rankin of Montana becomes the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Women Win the Right to Vote: The 19th Amendment is ratified, granting women the right to vote nationwide.

First Asian American Elected to Congress: Dalip Singh Saund, an Indian American, becomes the first Asian American elected to Congress (House, 1956).

Brown v. Board of Education: The Supreme Court rules segregation in public schools unconstitutional, a major step for civil rights.

Civil Rights Act Passed: Congress passes the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Moon Landing: Neil Armstrong becomes the first human to walk on the moon, showing technological advancement while representation still lagged behind.

Shirley Chisholm Runs for President: Shirley Chisholm becomes the first Black woman to seek a major party's nomination for U.S. president.

First Openly Gay Member of Congress Comes Out: Representative Gerry Studds of Massachusetts became the first openly gay member of Congress after publicly coming out during a House censure.

First Female Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi becomes the first woman in U.S. history to serve as Speaker of the House.

Barack Obama Takes Office: Barack Obama becomes the first African American elected President of the United States.

Most Diverse Congress in History (at the time): The 116th Congress breaks records for gender, racial, and religious diversity.

First Gen Z Member of Congress Elected: Maxwell Frost of Florida becomes the first Gen Z candidate elected to Congress at age 25.