The United States Capitol stands proudly atop a hill at the east end of the Mall, an American icon, a symbol of democracy and the most prominent landmark in Washington DC. The Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government is centered here in wings dedicated to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The dominant feature of the Capitol is its dome. Crowned by the statue "Freedom," a spectacular roof for the Great Rotunda rises from the middle of the Capitol. The Rotunda serves as the Capitol's chief ceremonial room, best known as a place where presidents have lain in state prior to burial.

The cornerstone of the Capitol was set by George Washington in 1793, but when President Abraham Lincoln climbed the steps to the east portico to deliver his inaugural address, construction of the dome was still not complete and the Union it would represent was threat- ened. Having once been burned and looted by the British, the Capitol had become an unruly forum in which one senator had been soundly caned by an opposing Southern lawmaker and other senators had taken to wearing sidearms for personal security. Despite the worsening political climate and impending civil war, President Lincoln ordered construction of the Capitol to continue, "As a sign we intend the Union shall go on." Gun batteries were placed around the building to defend against rebel attack and construction of the dome was completed in December 1863, 16 months before the assassinated Lincoln became the first president to lie in state in the Great Rotunda.

A growing nation dictated further expansion to house the increasing number of elected officials and their staffs making the Capitol, like The White House, subject to numerous minor renovations and reconfigurations over the years. Today, some 20,000 congressional staff members, throngs of lobbyists and packs of journalists roam the halls of the Capitol each day with elected senators and representatives from all 50 states as the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government goes about its daily business.