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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

April 24, 1800

The United States Library of Congress is Established

On this day in 1800, President John Adams signed legislation which tranferred the capital of the United States from Philadelpia to the new capital city of Washington. Also included in the legislation was an appropriation of $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress..." as well as a place to keep them.

There are now over 147 million total items including books, pamphlets, newspapers, music, and much more. The library has a staff of over 3,000 employees and a budget of over $600 million per year.