We’re creating history.

In the old hall of the United States House of Representatives there sits a remarkable and historic clock, “The Car of History.”

Some say that it was around 1837 when this piece of functional art created by Simon Willard and Carlo Franzoni was installed in the House of Representatives. The sculpture created by Franzoni features Clio, the muse of history, and her car emblazoned with Nike, the goddess of victory.

The idea was that those who sat beneath Clio in her winged Car of History would be inspired by her presence and reminded that in their words, deeds, and actions that they were designing our future while creating history. For it is Clio who encourages us to remember that history is not just a series of events, but history is a story to be told, to be felt, to be remembered.

Today members of the House of Representatives no longer sit below Clio and the Car of History while in session, but it is my strong belief that they still carry forward the values that the Car of History represents.

For in this great country of ours, the democracy of America, the people believe in the system of checks and balances that our elected officials provide us. We believe that they are serving and representing the will of the people first and foremost. Not their own profits. Not their own gain in power. Not their own ego.

Let us be reminded by Clio, the muse of history, that each of us is designing our collective future. Our words, deeds, and actions are writing history in real time and creating the future that our children and our children’s children will live in. I wish for a future of peace where we people in my country, and around the world, can earn a livable wage and feel free & safe. Regardless of class. Regardless of faith. Regardless of race.

Catch some additional images of the Clio and the Car of History here.
Image sourced from The American Spirit by David McCullough.