THE FIRST CONGRESS
(1789)
(The First Six Months)
April
6:
Senate convened with a quorum
April
7:
Senate appoints committee "to take under consideration the manner of electing
Chaplains"
April
9:
House appoints similar committee re: electing Chaplains
April
25::
Senate elects first Chaplain
May
1:
House elects first Chaplain
August 7:
First Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance for the governance of the
territory northwest of the Ohio River. Article III addresses education and
religion and requires the following: "Religion, morality and knowledge, being
necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means
of education shall forever be encouraged."
September 22:
Congress passes statute providing for payment of Chaplains.
September 24:
House approves final wording of First Amendment and passes a Resolution asking
President George Washington to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation to "recommend
to the people of the U.S. a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed
by acknowledging with grateful hearts, the many and signal favors of Almighty
God....
September 25:
Senate approves final wording of the First Amendment and concurs with the House
Resolution calling for a Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3:
George Washington issues Thanksgiving Proclamation
ŠKC06-07
