Congress Timeline - Zach Cashin By chad_dolphin Period: Oct 13, 1780 to Oct 13, 2011 Congress Timespan Oct 13, 1789 First congress under new constitution Oct 13, 1800 Congress makes it;s move to the Patomic river, where it would stay permanently. Oct 13, 1812 Congress declares war for the 1st time Oct 13, 1819 The Capitol is rebuilt Oct 13, 1820 Missouri compromis was passed Oct 13, 1850 California becomes a state Oct 13, 1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected president Oct 13, 1861 Civil War begins Oct 13, 1865 Congress abolishes slavery Oct 13, 1917 Congress declares war on Germany Dec 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese Oct 13, 1960 Civil Rights Movement