1st United States Congress facts for kids
The First United States Congress was a very important group of lawmakers, made up of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. They met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791. This was during the first two years of George Washington's time as president.
Congress first met at Federal Hall in New York City. Later, they moved to Congress Hall in Philadelphia. When the First Congress started, the U.S. federal government officially began working under the new rules set by the 1787 Constitution. Most members in both the House and Senate were part of the Pro-Administration group, meaning they supported the new government.
This Congress also passed twelve proposed changes to the Constitution. These changes were sent to the states to be approved. Ten of these changes were approved by December 15, 1791. They are now known as the Bill of Rights (Amendments one through ten).
Contents
Key Moments in History
- April 1, 1789: The House of Representatives got enough members (a quorum) to start working and chose its leaders.
- April 6, 1789: The Senate also got its quorum and chose its leaders.
- April 6, 1789: The House and Senate met together. They counted the votes from the Electoral College. They confirmed that George Washington was chosen as President of the United States. John Adams was elected as Vice President.
- April 30, 1789: George Washington became the nation's first president. His inauguration happened at Federal Hall in New York City.
- January 8, 1790: President Washington gave the very first State of the Union Address. This is a speech where the president talks about the country's situation.
- June 20, 1790: The Compromise of 1790 happened. This was an agreement where James Madison agreed to support the federal government taking on state debts. In return, Alexander Hamilton agreed to support placing the nation's capital near the Potomac River.
Important Laws Passed
Session 1: New York City (1789)
This session took place from March 4, 1789, to September 29, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City.
- July 4, 1789: The Hamilton Tariff was passed. This law put taxes on imported goods to help the new government make money.
- July 27, 1789: The United States Department of State was created. It was first called the Department of Foreign Affairs. This department handles relationships with other countries.
- August 7, 1789: The Department of War was created. This department was in charge of the nation's military.
- September 2, 1789: The United States Department of the Treasury was established. This department manages the government's money.
- September 24, 1789: The Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed. This law set up the federal court system, including district courts and the office of the Attorney General.
Session 2: New York City (1790)
This session was held from January 4, 1790, to August 12, 1790, at Federal Hall in New York City.
- March 1, 1790: A law was passed to prepare for the first Census. A census counts all the people in the country.
- March 26, 1790: The Naturalization Act of 1790 was passed. This law set rules for how people from other countries could become U.S. citizens.
- April 10, 1790: The Patent Act of 1790 was created. This law protected the rights of inventors.
- April 30, 1790: The Crimes Act of 1790 was passed. This law defined various federal crimes and their punishments.
- May 31, 1790: The Copyright Act of 1790 was passed. This law protected the rights of authors and artists over their works.
- July 6, 1790: The Residence Act was passed. This law decided that Washington, D.C., would be the permanent capital of the United States.
- July 22, 1790: The Indian Intercourse Act of 1790 was passed. This law helped regulate trade and relationships with Native American tribes.
Session 3: Philadelphia (1790-1791)
This session took place from December 6, 1790, to March 3, 1791, at Congress Hall in Philadelphia.
- February 25, 1791: The law to create the First Bank of the United States was passed. This was the country's first national bank.
- March 3, 1791: The Whiskey Act was passed. This law put a tax on whiskey, which later led to the Whiskey Rebellion.
Changes to the Constitution
- September 25, 1789: Twelve proposed changes (amendments) to the Constitution were passed by Congress. They were sent to the states for approval on September 28, 1789.
- Articles Three through Twelve were approved by the states on December 15, 1791. These ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. They protect important freedoms for Americans.
- Article Two was approved much later, on May 7, 1992, becoming the Twenty-seventh Amendment. Article One is still waiting for approval from the states.
New States and Territories
- November 21, 1789: North Carolina became the 12th state to approve the U.S. Constitution and join the Union.
- May 26, 1790: The Territory South of the River Ohio was organized. This land came from North Carolina.
- May 29, 1790: Rhode Island became the 13th state to approve the U.S. Constitution and join the Union.
Political Groups
At this time, there were no official political parties like we have today. Instead, members of Congress were grouped informally based on their similar ideas and how they voted. Most members supported the new federal government.
Senate
During this Congress, two new Senate seats were added when North Carolina and Rhode Island joined the United States.
House of Representatives
When North Carolina and Rhode Island joined, five new House seats were added for North Carolina and one for Rhode Island.
Leaders of Congress
Senate
- President of the Senate: John Adams (who was also the Vice President)
- President pro tempore (a temporary leader): John Langdon
House of Representatives
Images for kids
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Congress Hall in Philadelphia, where the First Congress met for its third session.
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Senate President John Adams
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Senate President pro tempore John Langdon
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Speaker of the House Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania
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Statue of George Washington in front of Federal Hall, where he became president.
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