Weekly Historical Highlights (August 2 to 8)
The establishment of the Department of War
August 07, 1789
On this date, President George Washington signed into law a bill that established the U.S. War Department.
Speaker of the House Charles Crisp of Georgia
August 07, 1893
On this date, Charles Crisp of Georgia was elected Speaker of the House for a second term.
The admission of Ohio as a state
August 07, 1953
On this date President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law ending the dispute about the actual calendar day Ohio was admitted into the Union.
The 1911 House reapportionment
August 08, 1911
On this date, President William H. Taft signed legislation increasing the membership of the House from 391 to 433, with provisions to add two more Members when New Mexico and Arizona became states.