Uncle John’s Impossible Questions & Astounding Answers
“Congressional Smackdown What’s unusual about the gavel used by the United States Senate since 1954? And who broke the one before that?
Seeing Stars On June 17, 1986, Canadian MP John Nunziata said in the House of Commons, “We consider this to be an item of national concern, and have pulled out the magnifying glass to have a closer look.” What was he talking about?
Congressional Smackdown It has no handle…and never did. The Senate’s hourglass-shaped, ivory gavel is wielded by the vice president in his role as president of Senate. He uses the gavel to begin and end meetings, as well as to maintain order. The original gavel, first used in 1789 by Vice President John Adams, lasted 165 years until 1954, when Vice President Richard Nixon got angry during a late-night nuclear debate and accidentally smashed it to bits. Later that year, an exact replica was given to the Senate by the vice president of India, who said, “I hope this will inspire the lawmakers to debate with freedom from passi...on and prejudice.”MoreLess
Seeing Stars On June 17, 1986, Canadian MP John Nunziata said in the House of Commons, “We consider this to be an item of national concern, and have pulled out the magnifying glass to have a closer look.” What was he talking about?
Congressional Smackdown It has no handle…and never did. The Senate’s hourglass-shaped, ivory gavel is wielded by the vice president in his role as president of Senate. He uses the gavel to begin and end meetings, as well as to maintain order. The original gavel, first used in 1789 by Vice President John Adams, lasted 165 years until 1954, when Vice President Richard Nixon got angry during a late-night nuclear debate and accidentally smashed it to bits. Later that year, an exact replica was given to the Senate by the vice president of India, who said, “I hope this will inspire the lawmakers to debate with freedom from passi...on and prejudice.”MoreLess
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