Joseph Rainey (R-SC), born into slavery, was the first African-American elected to the House of Representatives.
In 1997, the Senate voted 95-0 to restrict entry of the U.S. into future international climate treaties, ending hopes for legally binding emissions targets for the U.S.
The House impeached President Donald J. Trump for a second time, an unprecedented feat in U.S. history, on charges of fomenting insurrection
The Senate voted to acquit former President Trump of charges of inciting the January 6th attack on congress. Although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed that Trump was legally culpable for a "disgraceful dereliction of duty", he concluded that the Senate is unable to convict former officials. The Senate had previously held it has the power to do so.
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) became the first openly LGBT senator in 2012.