26th United States Congress

The 26th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1839, to March 4, 1841, during the third and fourth years of Martin Van Buren's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1830 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic majority. Major events 1839: The first state law permitting women to own property was passed in Jackson, Mississippi December 14–16, 1839: An election for the House speakership takes 11 ballots January 19, 1840: Captain Charles Wilkes circumnavigated Antarctica, claiming what becomes known as Wilkes Land for the United States. November 7, 1840: U.S. presidential election, 1840: William Henry Harrison defeated Martin Van Buren February 18, 1841: The first ongoing filibuster in the United States Senate began and lasted until March 11 Major legislation