United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
Search the website

Nation’s Lawmakers Hear President’s Message

Black and white photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaking from the rostrum in the full House Chamber. To the left of the rostrum is a ramp. Spectators are visible looking down from the galleries./tiles/collection/1/15534.xml
Reverse of photograph with maker’s information and a faded caption that reads, “Nation’s lawmakers hear President’s message. Washington, D.C… History was made here on Wednesday (Jan. 6), when President Roosevelt Delivered his annual message on “The State of the Nation” to a Joint Session of the 75th Congress. Only a few moments before the President took his place at the reading rostrum (where he is seen in the picture). The same Joint Session had witnessed the formal canvass of the electoral vote of the late national election, which confirmed the unofficial count of 523 to 8 in favor of Roosevelt and Garner. It was the first time in American History that the President had addressed a new Congress a fortnight before his own term expired.”/tiles/collection/1/15535.xml
Black and white photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaking from the rostrum in the full House Chamber. To the left of the rostrum is a ramp. Spectators are visible looking down from the galleries.
Reverse of photograph with maker’s information and a faded caption that reads, “Nation’s lawmakers hear President’s message. Washington, D.C… History was made here on Wednesday (Jan. 6), when President Roosevelt Delivered his annual message on “The State of the Nation” to a Joint Session of the 75th Congress. Only a few moments before the President took his place at the reading rostrum (where he is seen in the picture). The same Joint Session had witnessed the formal canvass of the electoral vote of the late national election, which confirmed the unofficial count of 523 to 8 in favor of Roosevelt and Garner. It was the first time in American History that the President had addressed a new Congress a fortnight before his own term expired.”
Previous Next

Date

1937-01-06

Maker

International News Photos

Dimensions

7 1/8 × 11 in. (18.1 × 27.9 cm)

Accession Number

2009.014.005

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

In January 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Annual Message to a Joint Session of the 75th Congress. To address the House, Speakers and Presidents usually climbed up steps to the rostrum. In this case, the House installed a ramp to assist Roosevelt up the rostrum. The ramp was sometimes disguised by carefully placed palm trees, but at this Joint Session, the accommodation is clearly visible. Just before his speech, the electoral vote was counted, confirming the re-election of Roosevelt and Vice President John Nance Garner.

Rights and Reproduction Information

Jump To

View Related Objects

President Roosevelt Gives the Annual Address to a Joint Session of Congress
President Roosevelt Gives the Annual Address to a Joint Session of Congress
President Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address
President Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address

View Related People

GARNER, John Nance
GARNER, John Nance

View Related Content

From the Blog: Wheelchairs, Ramps, and a Scooter Named “Lulu”
From the Blog: Wheelchairs, Ramps, and a Scooter Named “Lulu”
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov