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This Week in House History
The historical highlights featured in This Week in House History are written by the historians, archivists, and curators who preserve the history of the U.S House of Representatives. New highlights are added weekly. The collection, searchable by date or subject, includes more than 400 historical House events.
![](http://historycms.house.gov/uploadedImages/Historical_Highlights/1951-2000/hh_1958_06_21_brooks_2002_018_008.jpg)
House Creates the Science and Astronautics Committee
July 21, 1958
On this date, House Resolution 580 authorized the establishment of the Committee on Science and Astronautics. When the Soviet Union launched the first manmade satellite, Sputnik, on October 4, 1957, the United States effectively entered a "space race." Five months later, the House established the Committee with noteworthy bipartisan leadership.
![](http://historycms.house.gov/uploadedImages/Historical_Highlights/1800-1850/j-tyler-display.jpg?n=1982)
House Takes Its First Formal Action to Impeach a President
July 22, 1842
On this date, the first formal action by the House toward impeaching a president took place. Virginia Representative John Minor Botts presented a petition from Wetumpka, Alabama, requesting that President John Tyler resign.
![](http://historycms.house.gov/uploadedImages/Historical_Highlights/1851-1900/hh_1886_07_24_henderson_hc_245.jpg)
House Imposes Tax on Butter Substitute
July 23, 1886
On this date, the 49th Congress began an era of commercial regulation by passing the Oleomargarine Act which defined the essence of butter and imposed a two-cent per pound tax on oleomargarine, a butter substitute made from animal fat.
![](http://historycms.house.gov/uploadedImages/Historical_Highlights/1700s/hh_1792_04_04_thaddeusstevens_2007_315_000.jpg?n=968)
House Creates the Ways and Means Committee
July 24, 1789
On this date, during the 1st Congress the House created the Select Committee on Ways and Means. Becoming a standing committee in the 4th Congress, the Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest standing Committee in House history.