Capitol Building
What state capitol building is taller than the U.S. Capitol?
Texas
What does the Peace Monument depict?
"America" weeping on the shoulder of "History" over the deaths of Civil War sailors
What famous message did Samuel Morse send out on the telegraph from the basement of the Capitol in 1844?
"What hath God wrought?"
Name one false statement about the 50 columns that surround the Capitol dome.
That they represent every state in the Union
What is the second oldest public building in Washington D.C.? When was the cornerstone laid?
United States Capitol; September 18, 1793
How many Senators currently serve in the U.S. Senate?
100
How many statues are in the Statuary Hall collection?
100
How much does Freedom Triumphant weigh?
14,985 pounds
When was the Peace Monument erected, and where is it located?
1877, designed by Franklin Simmons, located at 1st St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW (immediately in front of the Senate Chamber of the Capitol Building)
How long is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
What is the age requirement to be elected Representative?
25
What is the age requirement to be elected Senator?
30
How many members currently serve in the House of Representatives?
435
How many rooms are in the U.S. Capitol?
540
How long is the term of office for a member of the Senate?
6 years
How many windows are in the U.S. Capitol?
658
How many doorways are in the U.S. Capitol?
850
How much does the dome of the Capitol weigh? How high? How wide?
9 million pounds; 180 feet high; 95 feet across
What prevented the Capitol from total destruction during the War of 1812?
A summer thunderstorm put out fires that had been set by invading British soldiers
What is the center of Washington D.C.'s quadrants?
Capitol Building
Why was the Capitol Building expanded in the midd-1800s?
As the nation expanded, the number of members of Congress increased, more space was required.
Who painted most of the 300' frieze in the Capitol rotunda?
Constantino Brumidi (original design concept), Filippo Costaginni, Allyn Cox
What is the name of the physician who designed the Capitol?
Dr. William Thornton
Why did Dr. William Thornton receive $500?
For submitting the winning entry in the competition to design the Capitol Building
What is the name of the 19 1/2-foot statue on top of the Capitol dome?
Freedom Triumphant
Who laid the cornerstone of the Capitol on September 18, 1793?
George Washington
On what hill is the Capitol located?
Jenkin's Hill, now Capitol Hill
Which religious personage from California has a statue in Statuary Hall?
Junipero Serra
Who Savior of the South was honored with the first statue to be placed in Statuary Hall?
Nathanial Greene
Where would you find Statuary Hall?
Original House Chamber in the Capitol Building
Who was the first President to be sworn into office on the west side steps of the Capitol?
Ronald Reagan in 1981
Which Speaker of the House of Representatives held that position longer than any other?
Sam Rayburn of Texas (total of 17 years)
What is 700 feet long and takes 45 seconds to get from one end to the other?
Senate Subway
Who is the only Senator to be honored with a memorial on Capitol Hill?
Senator Robert A. Taft
What was the crypt in the Capitol originally intended to be used as?
The burial site of George Washington
What was the first section of the Capitol Building to be completed?
The original Senate chamber
Who was the first Speaker of the House in Washington D.C.?
Theodore Sedgwick (1799-1801)
Which American artist created the Statue of Freedom?
Thomas Crawford
Who is the only actor to have a statue in the Capitol Statuary Hall?
Will Rogers (Oklahoma)
