Videos

A bipartisan group of five U.S. senators appeared in a television broadcast to discuss and promote a resolution to end the Vietnam War by December 31, 1970. The broadcast aired 12 days after…

Donald Ritchie, historian emeritus of the U.S. Senate, talked about the history of impeachment trials. The program began with a clip of former Maryland Senator Barb Mikulski speaking about s…

Don Ritchie talked about the history of the Hart Senate Office Building. He spoke about the building’s construction, its place in congressional history, and about the building’s namesake, fo…

Don Ritchie talked about the history of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. He spoke about the building’s construction, its place in congressional history, and about the building’s namesake,…

To mark the 30th anniversary of C-SPAN2's live gavel-to-gavel Senate coverage since June 2, 1986, key moments from the past 30 years were shown, as well as an interview with Majority Leader …

Senate Historian Donald Ritchie gave a tour of the Russell Senate Office Building and described historic Senate investigations of the television era, including the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearing…

As the Senate leadership changed with the convening of the 114th Congress, American History TV looked back at former Senate Majority Leaders Robert Byrd, Howard Baker, Bob Dole, and George M…

Donald Ritchie described several historic investigations held in the Russell Senate Office Building, including the Truman Committee investigations of Word War II expeditures, and the Fulbrig…

U.S. Senate Historian Don Ritchie talked about changes in the Senate since the 1960s. He displayed a picture taken in the Senate chamber on September 24, 1963, which he said represents a sit…

U.S. Senate Historian Donald Ritchie talked about the differences between the House and Senate at the time of Senator Henry Clay and the changes over time. He responded to questions from mem…

Donald Ritchie talked about the evolution of the Senate leadership. He responded to questions from members of the audience, including on how television has changed operations. “After Clay: T…

Don Ritchie talked to participants in the Senate Historical Office’s Oral History Program about their long careers on Senate staffs. Topics included changes in the Senate, the maiden speeche…

Don Ritchie talked about the 25th anniversary of television coverage of the U.S. Senate.

Congressional scholars Norm Ornstein, Don Ritchie, and Matthew Wasniewski talked about the opening day of the 112th Congress. Topics included incoming House Speaker John Boehner, the history…

Historian Don Ritchie talked about West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd passing Senator Carl Hayden as the longest-serving member of Congress. Mr. Ritchie responded to telephone calls and elect…

The scholars talked about a variety of issues such as floor deliberations, reforms, leadership, minority rights, and rules and regulations. They expressed opinions as to how well the Senate …