The last time the speaker election took so long was in 1859 – it lasted 44 rounds

The House of Representatives reached another historic milestone with Thursday’s Capitol chaos – holding its 10th vote for Speaker for the first time since 1859 without a clear path to a solution for Kevin McCarthy.

It was another throwback to fractious early years in the Republic — and particularly to a 19th century fraught with angry political clashes in Congress leading up to the Civil War.

The last race that lasted so long was the 1859 contest, which resulted in the election of speaker William Pennington of New Jersey.

But that didn’t happen until the 44th ballot — when moderate Republicans were joined by Northern Democrats, dissatisfied with the Buchanan government. (McCarthy extended his losses to an 11th vote Thursday night).

Historical! – Rep. Elect Kevin McCarthy was still unable to secure a majority in his bid for speaker on a 10th ballot Thursday – something that had not happened since 1859. MP Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is one of the holdouts

It was the same year that John Brown staged his heist of the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.

The 1859 race took place two terms after an 1855 contest that included 133 ballots and spanned four months, in a political struggle between slave and anti-slavery factions that foreshadowed the Civil War. The American Party’s Nathaniel Banks prevailed with the support of an anti-slavery coalition.

The Capitol itself still took its modern form during the clashes. The House met for the first time in its new Chambers in December 1857, and the Senate met in its in 1859.

It was a time of economic and intellectual advances, even if the US was on the brink of being plunged into bloody conflict.

Charles Darwin published his work On the Origin of Species after his extensive travels around the world beagle.

Burning down the house: The Capitol was still under construction in 1859, the last time an election for speaker extended to 10 ballots. The Senate met in its new chambers for the first time this year

Everyone has something to hide: Charles Darwin published his About the origin of species this year

Drill Baby Drill – The first commercial oil well in the US opened this year in Titusville, Pennsylvania

Washington was littered with one- and two-story buildings the last time a vote for speaker took so long. It came during a turbulent time before the Civil War

This year drilling began at what may be the country’s first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, this year at another of these milestones.

Others included Oregon being admitted as the 33rd state (as an anti-slavery state).

Thursday’s clash was marked by attacks on McCarthy by Colorado state congressman Lauren Boebert, and 1859 marked the beginning of the Colorado-area gold rush.

“Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have the votes. Let’s elect a Republican who can unite our conference, who is a true leader,” said Boebert — who narrowly won re-election when challenging Oklahoma Rep.-elect Kevin Hern.

This week’s clash was marked by repeated flashes of anger and frustration, beginning with a heated GOP conference meeting behind closed doors.

On Thursday, House Representative-elect Dan Bishop accused Democrats of “grotesque, racist” rhetoric. On Wednesday, in comments to DailyMail.com, MP Mike Rogers likened 20 holdouts to “legislative terrorists who have no problem killing the hostage”. And on Thursday MP Dan Crenshaw told DailyMail.com he was “just concerned the 20 demanding concessions are full of c***”.

Rep. Elect Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) ripped McCarthy without giving his name but referring to a “squatter” in the Speaker’s office where McCarthy has his stuff installed.