![Art & History](/congress111th/20101205065805im_/http://clerk.house.gov/images/headers/a_highlightsheader.jpg)
Weekly Historical Highlights (November 28 to December 4)
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The Thanksgiving holiday
November 28, 1940
The establishing of the last Thursday of November as the legal holiday for Thanksgiving.
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Representative Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., of New York
November 29, 1908
On this date, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the first African American to represent New York in Congress, was born.
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The Opening of the 2nd Session of the 46th Congress
December 01, 1879
On this date, the 2nd Session of the 46th Congress (1879–1881) convened.
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The Opening of the 34th Congress
December 03, 1855
On this date, Representatives badly divided over the slavery issue convened in the Old House Chamber (present-day Statuary Hall) to commence the 34th Congress (1855–1857).