On April 24, 1800, President John Adams signed an act of Congress that created the Library of Congress. The library was originally intended to serve the research needs of lawmakers. Its first collection consisted of a small number of books purchased in Europe. After the British burned the Capitol in 1814, Thomas Jefferson’s personal library was acquired to rebuild the collection. Over time, the library grew into the largest library in the world, holding millions of items. Today, it serves scholars and the public as a major cultural and research institution.
