On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 exactly one year ago yesterday, marked the traumatic capitol riot in protest of the 2020 election results. 

Approximately over 2,000 supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. 

The rioters attempted to disrupt a joint session of Congress, which was formalizing President Joe Biden’s triumph. President Joe Biden won the 2020 election with 306 electoral votes (51.3%) compared to former President Donald Trump receiving 232 electoral votes (46.8%). 

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the violent assault was an act of domestic terrorism and left its mark on the United States democratic history. More than 700 people were charged with crimes, in which one-fourth of the defendants pleaded guilty. In addition, there was over a million dollars worth of property damage. 

140 members of law enforcement that were trying to protect the building suffered from injuries as severe as brain damage and crushed spinal discs, at the hands of the rioters carrying pepper spray, metal pipes, American Flags, and more. Ultimately almost 10 casualties resulted from this event. Congress included a moment of silence to commemorate the ones that passed away due to the attack and a vigil on their steps.

Now a year later, Capitol Hill planned a full day agenda to honor the incident. They began with remarks from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at Statuary Hall. During his speech, Biden said that the “pain and scars” of the occurrence at the capitol a year ago still “run deep” and called Trump a “defeated former president” for condoning the attack and his false claims regarding the 2020 election. 

There was also a discussion with historians and lawmakers concerning how to honor the Capitol riot for future generations. Protest signs, posters, and banners were collected after the incident by the National Museum of American History. These damaged items from the Capitol property were given to the Justice Department for further investigation. One spokeswoman from the Architect of the Capitol that oversees the building and property, stated that once the agency is finished examining the material, that they plan to show a collection of all these artifacts when those that invaded the Capitol’s premises prosecutorial processes have concluded.