The Senate established its so-called "Committee of Thirteen" as a last-ditch effort to prevent the breakup of the Union on the same day that South Carolina became the first state to vote for secession. The Senate panel faced insurmountable odds. After four meetings, the committee reported to the full Senate that it had been unable to agree on "any general plan of adjustment." Louisiana's Senator Judah Benjamin sounded the effort's death knell when he said, "The day for adjustment has passed. If you would give it now, you are too late. We desire, we beseech you, [to let our] parting be in peace."

An Automobile struck and killed 57-year-old Senator Thomas Schall of Minnesota. Trained as an attorney, Schall was blinded by a malfunctioning electirc lighter in 1907. With the help of his wife, Margaret, Schall learned to compensate for his condidtion. An avid sportsman, he taught himself to ride and even stadium jump his horse guided by a system of bells and buzzers. Schall could often be seen walking Washington with the assistance of his trained guide dog, Lux. A Senate regular, Lux guided Schall to his seat on the floor, then curled up under Schall's desk to avoide being in the path of passing senatos. Lux passed away in 1933.

An Automobile struck and killed 57-year-old Senator Thomas Schall of Minnesota. Trained as an attorney, Schall was blinded by a malfunctioning electirc lighter in 1907. With the help of his wife, Margaret, Schall learned to compensate for his condidtion. An avid sportsman, he taught himself to ride and even stadium jump his horse guided by a system of bells and buzzers. Schall could often be seen walking Washington with the assistance of his trained guide dog, Lux. A Senate regular, Lux guided Schall to his seat on the floor, then curled up under Schall's desk to avoide being in the path of passing senatos. Lux passed away in 1933.

Senator Henry Dodge of Wisconsin must have had a very merry Christmas in 1848. He knew that on the following day, his son, Augustus Caesar Dodge, would take his oaths as one of Iowa's first two United States senators. Henry Dodge had served as a delegate to the House of Representatives for the Wisconsin territory. In June 1848 he had the distinction of being elected to serve as one of Wisconsin's first two senators. Henry and Augustus served together for the next seven years, the only father-son team to serve simultaneously in Senate history.

Less than three weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill entered the Senate Chamber to address a joint meeting of Congress. Such events usually occur in the House Chamber. With many members out of town for the holidays, however, Congress selected the smaller Chamber for the occasion, in part because of its better acoustics. Members, justices of the Supreme Court, and cabinet officers filled the chamber to capacity. Movie cameras caught the historic speech on film. After his 30-minute address, which combined humor with a call for resolute courage against totalitarian regimes, Churchill flashed a "V" for victory sign and departed to thunderous applause.