Legislation1800
Library of Congress Established
President John Adams signed legislation establishing the Library of Congress, initially allocating $5,000 to purchase books for the use of Congress. After the British burned the original collection in 1814, Thomas Jefferson sold his personal library to rebuild it.
Why It Matters
The Library of Congress became the world's largest library and a symbol of the founders' belief that an informed legislature and an educated citizenry are essential to democratic self-governance.