Speaker of the House Carl Albert of Oklahoma

On this date, former Speaker of the House Carl Albert died in his home state of Oklahoma. Before earning a bronze star in World War II, Carl Albert received a Rhodes scholarship to study at Oxford University. After returning from the war, Albert won a seat in the 80th Congress (1947–1949) and was successfully re-elected 14 times. In the 84th Congress (1955–1957), he ascended the leadership ladder to be elected Democratic Whip; a decade later his Democratic colleagues elected him Majority Leader in the 87th Congress (1961–1963). The “Little Giant” from Oklahoma succeeded Speaker John McCormack of Massachusetts and was elected Speaker of the House in the 92nd Congress (1971–1973). His tenure as Speaker occurred during one of the most tumultuous periods in United States history: with the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon during the Watergate scandal, the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, and the conclusion of the Vietnam War. After serving three terms as Speaker, Carl Albert retired from the House of Representatives. Reflecting on his departure, he declared, “I was tired when I left,” adding “I wanted to go home.”