History

The Congress

For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews, Ken Burns chronicles the events that have shaped the first 200 years of congress and, in turn, our country.

The Congress

1h 29m

For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews, Ken Burns chronicles the events that have shaped the first 200 years of congress and, in turn, our country.

Episodes

  • The Congress: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Congress

    S1 E1 - 1h 29m

    For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews, Ken Burns chronicles the events that have shaped the first 200 years of congress and, in turn, our country.

Extras + Features

  • The 17th Amendment: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The 17th Amendment

    2m 34s

    The 63rd Congress was the last Congress before the 17th Amendment transferred the election of senators from the state legislators to the people — the greatest single change in Congress’ history.

  • The Engine of Democracy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Engine of Democracy

    4m 45s

    The United States Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is known as “the engine of democracy.”

  • The Most Recognizable Building in America: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Most Recognizable Building in America

    2m 38s

    Completed in 1800, the United States Capitol is perhaps the most recognizable building in America — it is a building in which countless historical decisions have been made.

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