9781422275627

First Steps

Words to Understand

Impeach: To charge a government official with wrongdoing or misconduct.

Quorum: The minimum number of members of a group that need to be present in order to officially conduct business. Ratify: To formally approve a treaty, law, or other measure.

A s the sun peeked over the Atlantic Ocean on March 4, 1789, guns at the New York City Battery shattered the still morning. An 11-gun salute announced the inauguration, or formal dedication, of the new U.S. government. Church bells pealed, adding to the excitement. Later that morning, both houses of Congress would meet to count the electoral bal- lots from each state and declare the first president of the United States. Everyone knew, however, that George Washington—the great hero of the American Revolution—would be the winner. Across the country, he was so loved and respected that the idea of anyone else as president was unthink- able. Still, the breeze in New York City that day must have been charged with anticipation. These expectations deflated when only 13 of the 65 members of the House showed up on that first day. Because 30 members were needed to conduct business, all that those who were present could do was agree to meet the following morning and adjourn. Travel troubles had delayed

Printed by A. Doolittle in 1790, this image depicts Federal Hall in New York City on March 4, 1789—the first day the new U.S. government met to decide who would be the first president of the United States.

THE house of Representatives