American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

United States Congress (April 30, 1789) was addressed by President George Washington in his First Inaugural Speech to Both Houses of Congress. He had just taken the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall, at Wall and Nassau Streets in New York City, with his hand upon a Bible, reportedly opened to Deuteronomy, chapter 28. Following in the tradition of English coronation ceremonies, where the newly crowned Sovereign would place his hand on the Bible and say "The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God," President George Washington kissed...

United States Congress (April 23, 1789) the schedule of events for that special day was published in the newspaper, Daily Advertiser: <On the morning of the day on which our illustrious President will be invested with his office, the bells will ring at nine o'clock, when the people may go up and in a solemn manner commit the new Government, with its important train of consequences, to the holy protection and blessings of the Most High. An early hour is prudently fixed for this peculiar act of devotion, and it is designed wholly for prayer.> 1789US005 On April 25, 1789, the...

United States Congress (April 25, 1789) elected the Right Reverend Samuel Provoost (February 26, 1742-September 6, 1815), the first Protestant Episcopal Bishop of New York, as the first chaplain of the U.S. Senate, appropriating a salary for him to be paid from the Federal treasury. He conducted the service at St. Paul's Chapel, April 30, 1789, following Washington's Inauguration, attended by the President, his staff and all the leaders of the new government. He later officiated the memorial service for George Washington at St. Paul's Chapel, December 31, 1799. Earlier, on July 15, 1787, Bishop Samuel Provoost had preached the...

United States Congress (April 15, 1789) a Committee of Congress, composed of Richard Henry Lee, Oliver Ellsworth, Caleb Strong, William Maclay, and Richard Bassett recommended: <That two chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress for the present session, the Senate to appoint one, and give notice thereof to the House of Representatives, who shall, thereupon, appoint the other; which chaplains shall commence their services in the Houses that appoint them, but shall interchange weekly.> 1789US004 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1789US004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014)....

United States Supreme Court (1789) was "ordained and established" by the Judiciary Act of Congress. Originally consisting of 6 justices, it has since been increased to 9. The Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., designed by Cass Gilbert, was completed in 1935. Engraved in stone above the head of the Chief Justice are the Ten Commandments with the great American eagle protecting them. Moses is included among the great lawgivers in Herman A. MacNeil's marble sculpture relief on the east portico. At the beginning of each session of the Court, as the Justices stand before their desks, the crier opens...