>> we are honored here to have such a representation of our armed forces. at the moment, unrolling the hand-stitched replica flag, the united states army old guard. we have practically every service branch represented here today. the united states navy, united states army, united states marine corps, as well as our guests from canada and the united kingdom. [ applause ] taking the field now at the flagpole is the fort mchenry

guard, a group of specially trained staff and volunteers that represent the 1814 garrison of fort mchenry. wearing the uniforms of the regular united states army, representing united states corps of artillery that was the regular army garrison of fort mchenry. what we will do right now, the united states army old guard along with naval detachment from the united states ship "constitution" we will now unroll the large flag. we will unfold it. you will see what they mean when they say broad stripes and bright stars.

as the flag is unrolled, i think speak a little bit to the project that brought this particular flag about that we're about to hoist today. last year, the maryland historical society launched the stitching history project. two noted individuals, the ceo of the maryland historical society and the director of education spearheaded the project. the first stop was to heirloom weavers because what they did was they researched from the smithsonian institution the accurate weave of the material. there's very few places that can do that. it was a custom job.

heirloom weavers did that. they are in redline, pennsylvania. the material did, indeed, come from the united states. [ applause ] the stripes and the blue are made out of wool bunting. the stars are made out of cotton. so they have the authentic material. but the second step was to have it authentically stitched. no sewing machines were used in the making of this plan. indeed, over 200 stitchers from across the state of maryland were recruited, spending long

hours to hand stitch the flag. [ applause ] a number of them are here today. let's have one more round of applause for those stitchers here today. [ applause ] hoisting a flag this large is a very nuanced affair. we're going to rotate this clock counterclockwise. as the lines are being set. just as good leadership persevered at fort mchenry, just as we are lucky to have a number of prominent military leaders here today, so did the stitching

leaders have two leaders. i would like to recognize mimi and beverly. the stitchers call them, one was in charge of the stars and the other was in charge of the stripes. they have the anymore make its stars and the other was nicknamed stripes. we have a bit of time before the flag will be hoisted. when it is hoisted, one of the importance of historical accuracy -- you will see this. when you sing the star-spangled banner and as part of this program we will read and sing -- we will hear read all four verses. we will sing all four verses. there will be one verse in which you will hear "it shines in the stream." we used to think what they meant was the reflection of the flag

in the river. but that's not what francis scott key meant. what francis scott key meant and what you will see because the sun is so bright today is that the flag, with its light weave is almost translucent. you will see the beams of light actually shining through the flag. it's the exact affect that this flag had 200 years ago. i would also like to thank the maryland historical society for loaning the original first draft manuscript of the star-spangled banner which is on display in the visitors center in the park. you can see francis scott key's original crossouts. that represents the fragility our young republic had at that

time. a young nation slightly over 30 years old against every prediction that the country would fail in a war that was going poorly at the time, out of nowhere came a miraculous victory. while the casualties were fairly light on both sides, the point was a stand had been made and the tide had been turned. thank you for asking that question. when you are a park ranger, you thrive on questions from visitors. you do. the gentleman asked the weather 200 years ago. that's actually perhaps one of the most pertinent questions that we will receive today. because the weather 200 years ago is exactly like it was yesterday and today, to the t.

we know what the weather was like because the after-action reports say t. the british law books, those are meticulously kept law books. they wrote the weather in every one of the different logbooks. the weather for the 13th of september 1814 was intermittent showers, blustery, heavy showers, intermittent rain. the large flag 200 years ago was made in baltimore city by mary young pickersgil. she, her 13-year-old daughter caroline, grace swisher, an african-american indentureedder is vent stitched that flag putting in 12, 14-hour days for a month. major george armstead ordered a smaller flag measures 17 by 25 feet.

the 17 by 25 foot flag we are flying on the pole right now. this is why this moment is so important. going back to the weather. the 13th was rainy. the evening hours it continued to rain. clearing up slightly with the front moving back in at nighttime. showers up until approximately 3:00 in the morning on the 14th of september. then gradual clearing. by dawn's early light, the clouds had dissipated. the rain was gone. so as you stand here on this original parade ground, you can look on to the gravel path and see the moisture that yesterday's rain brought forth. that's exactly the way it would have been, under the flagpole you can see a small puddle. that's exactly as it would have been. the sun is out is exactly as it would have been. we can't control the weather. we all know that. even the weather report stated the after-action report said it

was unseasonably cold on that day in september just like it is now. this is a special moment. we will never see this moment again. this is a once in a lifetime moment. to be here in this original fort on this ground. the fives and drums would come in to play yankee doodle as the flag was hoisted. and we can hear them coming. after the fives and drums take their station, the united states army old guard presidential salute battery will conduct a battery fire exercise that's symbolic of the battle. ♪

in addition to francis scott key looking forward the fort to see the flag, keep in mind, there were probably 40,000 people of baltimore looking toward the fort as well. for mary, she took special ownership in a way it was her flag. and you know she was looking from her rooftop hoping to see the large flag. a young united states marine named george bud said the entrenchments on the outskirts of the city, they were looking down toward the fort hoping to see the flag. now in the distance, we can hear the fives and drums of the fort mchenry guard fife and drum corps dressed as the united states corps of artillery musicians, the regular united states army, they portray the united states army of 200 years ago. ♪

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♪ ♪ music is central to the story of fort mchenry and the national anthem. later in the program, we will hear the musical rendition of our nation's anthem performed by the maryland defense force band in a way the maryland defense is the living legacy of the maryland militia that turned out to assist the regular united states army in defense of the city. dressed in red, the fort mchenry guard fife and drum corps led by principal musician timothy irtel. within the short span of 2 1/2 years, timothy, a cadre of loyal

young men led by tyler mink, dan austin spent time, exhaustive research and archives to search original music and scores. just as great pains were taken to find a maker who could make the warp and weave on the flag, so too were great pains taken ton find accurate hickory-made drums, calf-spin heads, researching original beadings, hand-stitched uniforms, exhaustive detail to make the most authentic replication of the united states army's field music from the war of 1812. [ applause ]

one of the lead drummers who helped put the unit together, shamus has enlisted in the united states army and is in the reserve officer training corps program as we speak. [ applause ] standing in front of the flag as a noted researcher, park ranger and great personal friend james c. bailey. james c. bailey is the exact build, has similar facial features and ironically is the exact same age as major george armstead who commanded the fort 200 years ago. he proudly wears the authentic uniform, a replica of the one major george armstead wore on this momentum occasion. [ applause ]

>> we have about ten minutes until the 9:00 hour. for those who are interested, when the flag is hoisted, yankee doodle is what we will played.

the star-spangled banner will be played later. historically on that september morning, the fives and drums of the garrison played yankee doodle. it was used like a national anthem before the star-spangled banner was adopted. the united states had two pieces of music that it used alternately, yankee doodle and hail columbia. with the adoption of the star-spangled banner, yankee doodle as heard now more often in historic performances. hail columbia, for those of you who were here last night became the official march for the vice president of the united states.

the gentleman had a question. he said, francis scott key said the dawn's early light. and yet 9:00 is not exactly dawn. it has been dawn for a while. one could simply laugh it off as poetic license, which it very well may be. however, francis scott key was also asking that question. key summed up the whole experience. so by dawn's early light he asked the question, oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light? language was so important to francis scott key. some visitors were irate whether they saw a question mark on an exhibit text panel that we put on because it says oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light? and then later says, oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

because key is asking questions. keys knows he could not see that flag. that's why he poses the question to everyone else, oh, say can you see the flag by dawn's early light? so key is actually very accurate in his four verses of the star-spangled banner. the answer is presented in the second verse where key acknowledges that he saw the flag, which would have occurred at about 9:00 in the morning. >> if you look at your program, look at the back of the program, you will find all four verses of the star-spangled banner, the national anthem. most people -- we all know verse number one. some of us know verse number

four. almost no one knows the second and third verses. and they all do different things, as many have implied. the first one is statement, beginning actually with a question, oh, say can you see, and it's very specific about what occurred that day. the second verse is all about the flag. it addresses the flag. the third verse is the most war-like of all, and that really discusses the difficulties we faced at that time. and how we had to fight our way out of those difficulties. and the fourth one is really a statement of faith. a lot of what happened in the early days of this republic when we were still in our adolescence and trying to survive, had to do with faith, faith in ourselves, faith in the maker who made all of us, faith in our ability to sustain what we had created here

and it is that faith really that carried the defenders at ft. mchenry and others involved in that conflict through to a point where suddenly when it was all over, when this battle ended, when the word went out, the world was suddenly aware that there was a new player on the global stage and it was here to stay. >> at 8:56 we will hear the barrage, again, representing symbolically the bombardment of this fort. but as we wait, and i think it's important to wait in silence because it affords reflection. but as we reflect, think of the

power of place. this is not a rebuilt fort. it's not the mock-up fort. this is the fort that was there. sure, our crack maintenance team main tapes it. the national park service as stewards of these treasures keep it in good repair. and united states army itself throughout 100 years maintained the fort, replacing wood and brick here and there. but the core star shape is original. probably 55% of the fabric of the fort was here 200 years ago. and with assembly, this fort is not a static museum under a glass case. this is a living fort. and this is another milestone in the fort's history and the fort again is making history. and as we see the men and women of our modern military here today, we see yet again 200 years later, the fort is again serving the nation, a new chapter is being written in the

history of this fort and 100 years from now people will look back and say what did they do back in 2014 to commemorate and bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this fort. bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this for bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this for bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this fort bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this for bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this fort bicentennial. and you are a part of the history of this forh bicentennial. and you are a part of the history

>> fire!

♪ ♪ ♪ [ applause ] ♪ o say can you see by the ♪ [ applause ] ♪ ♪

♪ [ applause ]

♪ o say can you see by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪

♪ and the rockets' red glare ♪ the bombs bursting in air ♪ gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ [ applause ] >> good morning, ladies and gentlemen. please be seated.

welcome to our distinguished guests, governor o'malley, congressman sarbanes, general powell, rear admiral, rear admiral metric, all of our international friends, particularly from the united kingdom and canada. ladies and gentlemen, i would like to thank the following groups for the powerful presentation we've just experienced.

first, the fort mchenry guard and the fort mchenry fight and drum corp. gentlemen, thank you for playing "yankee doodle" just as the garrison did at that exact moment 200 years ago. i would also like to thank the maryland defense force band for their musical rendition of "the star-spangled banner." mrs. franchon crews for her beautiful singing of our national anthem, and the presidential salute battery of the united states army, third infantry regiment, the old guard for symbolically replicating the defense of fort mchenry and the participants of the history project of the maryland historical society for hand stitching the replica flag that we hoisted today.

this morning represents the culminating moment of the week long bicentennial commemoration of the bat of baltimore and the writing of the national anthem. the events that occurred on this fort and the river 200 years ago are the reason that we're here today. being here on this ground, on this morning, in this year enables us to connect to a place, a moment in time and an historical event. the simple act of raising a

flag. francis scott key's emotions about that flag put forth on a simple humble document would transform the way americans viewed this nation for the next 200 years. before the war of 1812 began the young united states saw itself as an emerging country, seeking its own identity and status in the world. the conflict forged a new identity and a heat so intense that even 35 miles away the flames of the burning federal buildings could be seen. the outcome of the war, the future of the nation was in doubt.

francis scott key's questioning, o, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, highlights the fears americans felt about losing the war and young democracy. the battle fought here was not a large one in terms of casualties, but its affect on the nation was profound. key's words capture the importance of the day, this moment when a seemingly invisible navy had been turned back and americans proved steadfast in defending their country. francis scott key did not desire fame for the song he wrote. as a matter of fact, he did not even write his name to it. let fame not to me be given but

rather for the inspirers of the song, key wrote years later. he deflected all praise away from himself and urged people to remember those who defended the fort. two men who deserve to be remembered this morning represent that cross-section of america that came together behind these walls, lieutenant levi clagett a citizen soldier of the baltimore fencibles was killed when a british shell burst over him, sending a piece of iron through his body. lieutenant clagett was a member of baltimore's upper class, a wealthy merchant. and today his name is embossed on the battle monument, a monument that still stands in downtown baltimore and has

become a symbol of the city itself. the other defender was private william williams, born enslaved in prince george's county under the name frederick hall, he escaped from slavery and changed his name to william williams and joined the united states army. he, too, was morality wounded here. this morning, like 200 years ago, a cross section of america stands in this fort represented by all. the words paint a picture of what it was like to be with key on that september morning in 1814. it is my privilege and honor to introduce the following individuals who will read each

verse of "the star spangled banner." caroline christensen, student fort mchenry volunteer, representing the youth and future of our nation. ms. franchon crews, american international boxing champion, singer, and aspiring libyan. general colin powell, statesman, general, iconic american. and mr. kenny nacke, baltimore in, citizen who endured the loss of his brother, lewis nacke iii, in the tragic events of september 11th, 2001.

ms. caroline? >> o say can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? and the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, for the land of the free and the home of the brave? >> on the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes. what is that which the breeze over the towering steep, as it fitfully blows, half conceals,

half discloses. now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam in full glory reflected now shines in the stream. tis the star-spangled banner, o, long may it wave. over the land of the free and the home of the brave. >> and where is that band who so vauntingly swore that the havoc of war and battle's confusion, a home and a country, should leave us no more? their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution, no refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. and the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

>> o thus be it ever when freemen shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation. blest the victory and peace may the heaven rescued land, praise the power that hath made preserved us a nation. then conquer we must when our cause it is just. and this be our motto, in god is our trust. and the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. >> for over 50 years general colin powell has devoted his

life to public service. having held senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations, powell's deep commitment to democratic values and freedom has been felt throughout the world. the son of jamaican immigrants, powell was born in harlem in april 1937 and was raised in the south bronx. he was educated in new york city public schools, and after graduating from morris high school attended the city college of new york where he earned a bachelor of science degree in geology. it was not until he joined the army rotc program at city college of new york that he discovered his calling and

launched his military career. he received a commission as an army second lieutenant upon graduation in 1958 and went on to serve in the united states army for 35 years rising to the rank of four-star general. from 1987 to 1989 powell served as president ronald reagan's national security adviser. he served from 1989 to 1993 as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff for both president george h.w. bush and for president bill clinton and was not only the youngest officer and first rotc graduate to ever serve in the position but also the first african-american to do so. during his time as chairman he oversaw 28 crises to include the panama intervention of 1989 and operation desert storm in the victorious 1991 persian gulf war. under president george w. bush powell was appointed the 56th secretary of state and

unanimously confirmed by the united states senate. as secretary of state, he led the state department in major efforts to address and solve regional and civil conflicts in the middle east, sudan, congo, liberia, the bull cans, cypress, haiti, northern ireland, afghanistan, iraq, and elsewhere. in all areas, he used the power of diplomacy to build trust, forge alliances and help transform these unstable regions into area where's societies and cultures have the potential to prosper. he also worked at the forefront of american efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide. among the many u.s. military awards and decorations powell has received are the defense distinguished service medal, the army distinguished service medal, defense superior service medal, legion of merit, soldiers medal, bronze star medal, and the purple heart.

his civil awards include two presidential medals of freedom, the president's citizens medal, the congressional gold medal, and the secretary of energy distinguished service medal. in addition, he has also received awards from over two dozen countries to include a french legion of honor and an honorary knighthood bestowed by her majesty queen elizabeth ii of great britain. it is indeed my great honor to introduce to you general colin powell. >> thank you very much. good morning. good morning. thank you very much.

good morning, my fellow citizens and those from other countries who are here to commemorate this day with us. it's a great pleasure for me to be here that the historic sight in this i his tory city of baltimore as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our star-spangled banner. a piece of cloth that i have loved all my life and have served under for over 40 years. but let me take you back to september 13th, 1814. the war had been going on for two years. it was rather inconclusive as to who might win. a few weeks before the battle that took place here the british had burned washington. the white house, the capitol, and most of the important buildings in washington, d.c.

and now they turned their attention to baltimore because at that time baltimore is more important than washington. some might say that is still the case 200 years later. governor o'malley, i share that with you. but baltimore was the economic prize. it was a major port on the bay. and the american navy was within the inner harbor. so this was the next logical target for the british forces. they tried with ground forces to overwhelm the maryland defenders but that didn't work. and they knew they had to try then with their fleet because if baltimore fell, then they could move on up to philadelphia and

then up to new york, and that would probably end the war in the favor of the united kingdom. on the morning of september 13th, admiral with his fleet of some 30 ships began bombarding fort mchenry and the war was definitely in the balance. major george armistead defended the fort. francis scott key as you heard was aboard a british ship looking over the side of the ship at the battle as it unfolded. it was a lawyer under a flag of truce sent by president madison to get some of the hostages that the british had captured, get them freed under a flag of truce. so he happened to be here as the bombardment took place all the day of the 13th and into the evening of the 13th. he watched all through the day and all through night. and the next morning when it was over, when it had become quiet, he began to write "the star-spangled banner." he finished the poem later in a tavern in town. he wrote down what he saw and felt and, as you listen to the first stanza, you can see that he was speaking to others who shared his experience.

he was speaking to the citizens of baltimore who were watching just as he was. and he asks questions as you go through "the star-spangled banner." o, say can you see by the dawn's early light? he was asking a question. he was asking a question of those who were watching along with him, the thousands of citizens who were looking at the fort and waiting to see what was going to happen. dawn was breaking. the bombardment had stopped. can't you see the fort? can you see the flag? is it still flying? have we survived? is it still flying as it did last night when so proudly we hailed it at the twilight's last gleaming, when darkness was falling and we would not be able to see anything after darkness

had fell. remember how those broad stripes and bright stars were gallantly gleaming as we watched as the ram ports perilous fight. over the ramparts we watched, so gallantly streaming, and the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. gave proof through the night that the flag was still there. the bombardment ended and the night was dark. what will we see in the morning? the british have taken the fort, george armistead had failed would the troops here not succeeded with the mission? in the morning of light we saw that it was not just a smaller tattered flag, the storm flag, but, instead, it was this magnificent flag that had been raised over the fort at revelry. we had prevailed and we had prevailed with glory. major armistead and 1,000 men into with the history books as heroes. francis scott key closed the first stanza with a question. and it was not a question addressed to the citizens of baltimore or to others who had witnessed the scene. no, it was a question that was addressed to the future. it was a question that was addressed to all of us here today. o, say, does that star spangled banner yet wave over the had of

the brave and the home of the free? there had been many fort mchenrys over the years, many challenges such as we faced on that day 200 years ago. we have fought civil wars. we have fought other wars. we have been in world wars. we have gone through depressions. we have gone through all sorts of tragic incidents in this country. the cold war, social conflicts and other challenges. but challenges that the resilience of our nation, the resilience of our people, and the courage of our nation

underneath this banner we have always been able to prevail over. and so we have a resounding answer to the question that francis scott key raised. o, say, tell me, please tell me, does that star-spangled banner still wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave? and the answer to him and the answer to all of us is that, god willing, it waves now and it will wave forever, as long as we remember the sacrifice made by these men 200 years ago, as long as we remember the sacrifice made by americans throughout the course of our history. you can be absolutely sure it will wave now and it will wave forever in the future with god's blessing and with our determination and with our courage. so god bless our nation. god bless this flag. and thank you all for being a part of this memorable day. god bless you all.

>> i would now like to invite a dear friend of fort mchenry's, governor martin o'malley, to join us here on the stage and invite you all to join us in singing the four verses of "the star-spangled banner." ♪ o say can you see by the

dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ and the rockets' red glare ♪ the bombs bursting in air gave proof lieu the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ ♪ on the shore dimly seen

through the mists of the deep ♪ ♪ where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes ♪ ♪ what is that which the breeze over the towering steep ♪ ♪ as it fitfully blows, half conceals half discloses ♪ ♪ now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam ♪ ♪ in full glory reflected now shines in the stream ♪ ♪ tis the star-spangled banner ♪ o long may it wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ ♪ and where is that band who so

vauntingly swore that the havoc of war and the battle's confusion ♪ ♪ a home and a country should leave us no more ♪ ♪ their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution ♪ ♪ no refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave ♪ ♪ and the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave over the land of the free and the home of

the brave ♪ ♪ o thus be it ever when freemen shall stand ♪ ♪ between their loved home and the war's desolation ♪ ♪ blest with victory and peace may the heaven rescued land ♪ ♪ praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation ♪ ♪ then conquer we must when our cause it is just ♪ ♪ and this be our motto in god is our trust ♪

♪ and the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ [ applause ] >> please be seated. it's my pleasure once again to ask chief of interpretation vince vaise to join us. >> you can't really add to that.

z all i'll say is what they did here 200 years ago and what our service people are doing now, both american, canadian, and united kingdom, says it all. >> three cheers for old glory.

>> hip hip hooray. hip hip hooray. hip hip hooray. >> right now the fort mchenry guard, drum corp. will proceed down to the fort's water battery. after all we know, francis scott key was on a ship on the river. we're very fortunate that the pride of baltimore ii, baltimore's tall ship, one of the captain's with his parents are here today, was signal the

arrival of pride ii which is representing the american ship president, the ship that was bearing francis scott key and dr. william beane. i invite you to follow the guard down to see that. there will also be a procession of sail as other saluting ships come in and the presidential salute battery will fire a 21-gun salute in honor of the national anthem and old glory.

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you're watching american history tv. all weekend every weekend, on c-span 3. follow us on twitter for information on our schedule, upcoming programs and to keep up with the latest history news.

each week "american history tv" artifacts visits museums and historic places. up next we take you inside the house where the curator use artifacts to trace the history of women in congress. this is the first of a two part program. >> the story of women in congress begins with janet ranken. elected to the house in 1916 from montana. she's elected to the house four years before women had the right to vote nationally. and in a way, she's really a bridge from the suffrage movement to women attaining full political rights. if you look at the first two decades of women who were elected, there's roughly about 20 women who were elected to congress from ranken into the mid 1930s, a good number of these people don't have political background. they haven't held elective office.

and instead they are, a large number of them are widows who succeed their late husbands in congress. and later political scientists would describe this as the widows mandate, which was the route for a lot of the early women into congress. this really persisted up through the 1960s and even into the 1970s, a large number of women followed their husbands or maybe they had a prominent political father who they followed into congress. so there was a real kind of familial connection. that wasn't ranken's experience. it was for this woman here who

we're looking at in the picture, this wonderful picture of edith norris rodgers. now, rodgers was a widow from massachusetts, represented district from northern massachusetts. she succeeded her husband, john rogers who was a high-ranking member of the foreign affairs committee. the ranking republican. and she actually had a lot of experience helping him with administering the committee and administering his personal office. and so she knew what his legislative agenda was, she kind of knew the rhythms and contours of life here on capitol hill. and one of the things that happens when a senior member passes away like that, the house has to have a special election. no one can be appointed to the house. and depending on state laws that election has to happen in a fairly short amount of time. so what would happen is, is local party leaders would often turn to the widow and say, will you run for the partial term because you have name recognition. rogers is going to be on the ballot.

the expectation is that the wife would serve out the term and then she would retire and party leaders would find a suitable male candidate to succeed her. rogers had different ideas. she actually ends up staying in the house for 35 years. she is still the longest serving woman in the house. and she was for a very long time, the longest serving woman in congress. she was recently surpassed by barbara mccullski of maryland. she not only had longevity. she was very influential in terms of veterans affairs. prior to her experience in the house she also had volunteered for the red cross. she had become an advocate for servicemen returning from world war i and when republicans in the 1940s briefly regained the majority in the 80th congress she becomes one of the very first women to chair a major congressional committee. she chairs the veterans affairs committee in the it 80th

congress and again in the 83rd congress when the control flip-flopped between democrats and republicans. she's a republican. >> you can view this and all other american artifacts programs on our website cspan.org/history. next on american history tv, law professor robert clinton discusses the history of treaties between native americans and non-native settlers. he traces the evolution of anglo american treaties and how they shift fred relationship agreements in the colonial era to the sovereign agreements with the federal government that we see today. clinton also serves as the chief justice of the winnebago tribe supreme court. he explains how treaties with the u.s. government have come to simultaneously stand for indian rights as well as oppression. this event is a part of the symposium of the american indian in washington, d.c. and includes introductory remarks