In understanding the struggle for civil rights, it may well be worth recalling that it was on the evening of Aug. 28, 1957, that Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina launched his record-setting filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. All told, he would hold the floor for 24 hours and 18 minutes.

The Senate Historical Office maintains a history of chamber desks, which notes an inscription in Thurmond’s desk from that day.

The Congressional Record from the Senate session featuring the Thurmond filibuster is posted here.