What Is the US Capitol Building?

In 1863, the American poet Walt Whitman wrote approvingly about the United States Capitol building in Washington, DC.

Whitman described the building as calm and confident. And he said the Capitol’s dome made it easily recognized and seen throughout the Washington area.

Whitman called the dome “a vast eggshell, built of iron and glass.” He also likened it to a bubble, a tiara, and a “towering bulge of pure white.”

Today, the Capitol building is still a well-known symbol of the U.S. government. Although some people confuse it with the White House, where the president lives, it is the home of the U.S. Congress. In other words, the Capitol is the place where the country’s lawmakers meet to discuss, make and approve legislation. The House of Representatives meets in the building’s south wing. The Senate meets in its north wing.

The two large meeting rooms for lawmakers are called chambers. Usually House members and senators meet in their own chambers. But from time to time, they gather together in the House chamber, which is larger.

These gatherings are called joint sessions of Congress. They happen at least once a year when the president gives a speech that is called the State of the Union address. Sometimes joint sessions of Congress happen after an election or when a foreign leader speaks.

U.S. lawmakers also gather at the Capitol when a president is sworn-in. Years ago, those swearing-in ceremonies – called inaugurations – sometimes took place inside the building. But today they usually are held outside. Many people who have never visited Washington, DC may still recognize the Capitol building because they have seen pictures of it during a presidential inauguration.

And those who come to Washington can visit the Capitol building in person. The U.S. Capitol Visitors Center can hold up to 4,000 people at one time. Visitors can see the building up close, learn its history and even listen to lawmakers debate the issues of the day.

I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

confident - adj. having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something

dome - n. a large rounded roof or ceiling that is shaped like half of a ball

vast - adj. very great in size, amount, or extent

tiara - n. a small crown

bulge - n. a rounded lump on the surface of something

symbol - n. an object that expresses a particular idea

confuse - v. to mistakenly think that one person or thing is another person or thing

joint - adj. combining the work of two or more groups of people

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Comparing Legislative Symbols: U.S. Capitol and the Brazilian Congress

Hello everyone!

In our recent exploration of the iconic U.S. Capitol, we've learned about its significance as the meeting place for the U.S. Congress and its unique architectural features. Now, let's dive into a comparative discussion about legislative symbols.

Discussion Starter:

Thinking about the Brazilian legislative system, do you have a similar iconic building or symbol that represents your Congress? How does it compare to the U.S. Capitol described by Walt Whitman?

Follow-up Questions:

Architectural Symbolism: Walt Whitman beautifully described the U.S. Capitol's dome as a "vast eggshell." How does the architecture of the Brazilian Congress building reflect the values or history of Brazil?

Legislative Functions: Much like the U.S. Capitol, where Congress meets to discuss and approve legislation, share insights into the primary functions of the Brazilian Congress. How does it operate, and what major decisions or events take place there?

Cultural Significance: Beyond legislative matters, is the Brazilian Congress symbolically important to the citizens? Does it hold cultural or historical significance, similar to the U.S. Capitol?

Public Access: The U.S. Capitol has a Visitors Center that accommodates thousands of visitors. Does the Brazilian Congress have a similar setup for public engagement? How accessible is it to the general public?

State Ceremonies: The U.S. Capitol hosts events like inaugurations and State of the Union addresses. Are there equivalent ceremonies or events at the Brazilian Congress that are significant for the nation?

Let's explore and appreciate the cultural and legislative symbols that shape our nations!