9781422275627

a second-story balcony of Federal Hall. On the street below, the fidgeting crowd, catching a glimpse of its new leader, greeted him with deafening cheers. New York Chancellor Robert R. Livingston held up a Bible and began the oath as written in the Constitution. “Do you solemnly swear,” he asked, “that you will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of your ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States?” “I solemnly swear,” Washington replied. He then repeated the oath and bowed down and kissed the Bible. “It is done!” Livingston shouted. “Long live George Washington, president of the United States!” The crowd roared with excitement as cannons boomed in the harbor. This event marked the beginning of a government that had a bold and bright future that few could have even imagined. After the ceremony, people in the streets slowly dispersed. The members of Congress returned to their meeting rooms in Federal Hall. Naturally, members were full of pride and hope as they set out to test their new government. They also must have been uneasy. After all, eyes around the world were watching this brave little country. Some wondered whether a democracy could stand the test of time. Others hoped it would crumble so they could swoop in and take control. The Dynamic Duo To many people, the U.S. House of Representatives is the greatest decision- making body in history. The House is an extraordinary tool that passes laws for the American people. Because House members serve only two-year terms, new representatives constantly bring in fresh ideas that reflect the popular demands of the people. From the first election in 1789 to the present, all House members have been elected. Not one has ever been appointed. For this reason, many people refer to the House of Representatives as the “People’s House.” The purpose of the House is to give the American people a voice in Congress. To understand why the House was created, it is important to understand what caused Americans to create their own government in the first place. Before Americans won independence, Great Britain ruled the colonies. The American col- onists did not have any say in the laws that the British Parliament passed for them. Colonists wanted American representatives in Parliament so they could offer their own opinions. When Parliament refused to listen to the colonists, the Americans decided to fight for independence. After the colonists won the Revolutionary War,

13

First Steps