The Civil War: 150 Years. National Park Service Sesquicentennial Commemoration.

Then: December 10, 1861

Examining the War Effort

Congress creates the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War to provide checks on the executive branch's oversight of the war, though it is often biased against Democrats in its investigations.

History: The War Committee
Resources: The Ball's Bluff Report

Now: November 27, 2002

Examining National Security

Congress creates the 9/11 Commission to "prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 attacks" and make recommendations to prevent future attacks.

Resources: The Commission and Its Report