5 April 23

On 5 April 1793, George Washington and Congress accepted William Thonton's architectural plan for the U. S. Capitol building. Thornton was Scottish-trained physician living in Tortola, British West Indies. Construction began that same year, and the first wing--housing the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Library of Congress--was completed in 1800. The building we see today was completed by 1891.

5 April 22

 On this date in 1793, George Washington accepted the architectural plan for the U. S. Capitol developed by William Thornton. His plan won $500.

20 January 21

Three cheers for the red, white and blue! Today, on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris become our President and Vice President.

6 April 20

On 5 April 1793, Congress approved William Thornton's architectural plan for the U. S. Capitol. "Construction of the Capitol began in 1793, with the initial cornerstone laid by President Washington on September 18, 1793, after holding a competition to determine the design of the building. The north wing was the first section completed, and the first session of Congress took place there on November 17, 1800." (From A Brief History of the U. S. Capitol Building.)

5 April 18

On this date in 1793, Congress approved William Thornton's plan for the U. S. Capitol.

5 April 17

On this date in 1793, Congress approved William Thornton's plans for the U. S. Capitol.

5 April 16

On this date in 1793, William Thornton's plan for the U. S. Capitol was accepted. In more current news, today is "National Deep Dish Pizza Day" and also "National Read a Road Map Day."

2 July 15

Happy Independence Day! John Adams expected the history of the United States to be counted from July 2, the day when the colonial representatives voted (unanimously!) to approve the resolution for independence from Britain. The "Declaration" is dated for July 4, when the document was ready for signing by John Hancock and others. (I am aware that my tie shows the Capitol, not Independence Hall! It's still all red/white/blue.)

6 April 14

Today's tie honors the approval of William Thornton's plans for the U. S. Capitol, on 5 April 1793.

22 January 13

Big events yesterday in our nation's capital, as Barack Obama was inaugurated for his second term as President, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

5 April 12

219 years ago today, in 1793, President George Washington's review panel approved the plan for the U. S. Capitol, designed by William Thornton.

21 June 11

Today's tie was selected for me by Charles Woolum to honor his birthday (back on May 31). He connected my U. S. Capitol tie with June 22 (tomorrow) because it was on that day in 1970 that Richard Nixon signed a bill lowering the voting age to 18 for all federal, state, and local elections. The bill also extended the 1965 Voting Rights Act for another 5 years which gave more than one million blacks in the South the right to vote. I'm wearing the tie today because I will be on vacation tomorrow.

05 April 11

On this date in 1793, William Thornton's plan for the U. S. Capitol Building was accepted by George Washington's review panel.

02 November 10

This is Election Day 2010. Things do not look good for the candidates I prefer, but maybe at least one of them will win if I wear my U. S. Capitol tie.

16 September 10

It's Constitution Day! So I chose my U. S. Capitol tie. Ties are appropriate when thinking about the Constitution because they are simply amendments to one's wardrobe.

5 April 10

On this date in 1793, William Thornton's plan for the U. S. Capitol Building was accepted by George Washington's review panel.