Renowned Hungarian revolutionary and statesman Lajos Kossuth arrived on the shores of the United States on 6 December 1851. He was received by a warm welcome and outpour of enthusiasm, from the highest ranking politicians and the ‘common folk’ alike, who lauded him for his pursuit of Hungarian freedom.

Congressman Johnson became the 56th Speaker of the House after his predecessor, fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy, became the first Speaker in US history to be ousted by the House.