George Washington’s Gavel Makes Historic SOTU Debut

A piece of American history took center stage at Tuesday’s State of the Union address when Speaker Mike Johnson displayed George Washington’s original gavel on the rostrum.

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society confirmed it was the first time the historic artifact has ever been featured during a presidential address to Congress.

Washington used the gavel in 1793 to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol building, and it has been preserved ever since by Potomac Lodge No. 5, a Masonic Lodge in Washington, D.C.

The display honored the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, offering a silent but powerful tribute to the first president.

Lawmakers and viewers noticed the small wooden object with enormous historical significance, sitting quietly on the dais as the president delivered his speech.

In a night filled with policy and politics, a 232-year-old gavel became an unexpected symbol of America’s enduring foundations.