Important Dates in Congress By cole_thompson Period: Jan 1, 1789 to Jan 1, 2011 Timespan Oct 13, 1789 The first meeting of Congress ever Oct 13, 1800 Congress settled on the banks of the Patomic Oct 13, 1812 Congress declared war for the first time Oct 13, 1819 The Capital was rebuilt Oct 13, 1820 The Missouri Compromise was passed Oct 13, 1850 California decided to be a free or slave state Oct 13, 1860 Lincoln was elected President Oct 13, 1861 Civil War began Oct 13, 1865 Slavery was abolished Oct 13, 1917 President asked for a declaration of war against Germany Oct 13, 1941 Attack of Pearl Harbor Oct 13, 1973 Watergate hearings Dec 28, 1993 Cole's birth date