By DAVIS CORMAN

From the attack on Pearl Harbor, to the terrorist attack on 9/11, each of these dates leave an important mark on our nation’s history; one many dread to remember, but also look to never forget. On January 6, 2021, America faced an event that similar to those before, will live in infamy for centuries to come. At a time of heightening tensions, transitions of presidents, and mass protests, an attack took place on our nation’s Capitol. As the country now tries to grasp for an understanding of the events, the United States House of Representatives has taken unprecedented action: Impeachment.

Throughout the months preceding January 6, many knew of the potential conflict brewing in Washington, D.C. Even before November 3, Election Day, President Trump had been making numerous claims over potential voter fraud, stating that if he had lost, he would have been robbed of the election. His rhetoric only picked up after election day, leading to multiple protests, where in a state that he was ahead, his supporters would chant “stop the count,” and in ones where he was behind,“count the vote.” Many in America were convinced that their president was unjustly voted out of office and was willing to do anything to show their support. The sentiment amongst these individuals fueled the now infamous attack on our nation’s Capitol.

As Trump was facing loss after loss in the court system, his hope of retaining the office was dwindling. From a devastating US Supreme Court rejection to the certification of states’ electoral votes, one date remained in which he hoped he could overturn the election: January 6. The date marked when the US Congress would meet and certify the states’ submitted election results. Though many agreed little could happen on this day, this wasn’t going to stop President Trump from putting on a show Washington would never forget. He called on his supporters to meet in Washington in a mega protest hoping to somehow influence Congress to change the election results. On December 19, through Twitter, he even stated, “Be there. Will be wild.”

When the date arrived, many knew some trouble could occur, but no one was expecting what was looming. According to NBC, over 30,000 individuals had attended, flooding much of the streets in D.C. What started off relatively peacefully, however, turned south fast. With rhetoric marked by statements made from Trump’s close ally, Rudy Giuliani, who said, “Let’s have a trial by combat,” many took to the US Capitol where the election was being certified to do just that. Furthermore, in a transcript of Trump’s January 6 speech, published in the Washington Post,  Trump implored them, proclaiming, “We fight like hell, and if you don’t fight like hell you’re not going to have a country anymore.”

Met by an overwhelmed Capitol security, through bashing windows and knocking down doors, the mob of Trump supporters was quickly able to get through, leading many US Congressmen and women fearing for their lives. According to the Washington Post, the rioters were even seconds away from reaching the Vice President who was evacuated 14 minutes after the initial breach. In the aftermath, the majority of our U.S. elected officials were left hiding in an underground bunker, fearing they could be killed at any minute, with a total of five others, including a capital police officer, being killed.

As the country now tries to heal and come together, many have disagreed about how to reach such peace. Some argue to let the incident go, and that any sort of action like impeachment will only further divide. Conversely, many House Democrats and even some Republicans felt that removing the president was a necessary action; a way to hold him accountable for his actions. Many even called for the invoking of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, which through the vice president’s actions, and a majority of the president’s cabinet, would immediately remove the sitting president. When Democrats realized that the Twenty-Fifth  Amendment was an unlikely occurrence, they turned to impeachment. With bipartisan support, including from 3rd highest top-ranking Republican, Liz Cheney(R-Wyoming), US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi put forth articles of impeachment. In a statement to the press, obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Nancy Pelosi said, “We will act with urgency because this president represents an imminent threat.”

The articles of impeachment passed with a vote of 232-197, according to the New York Times, obtaining full Democratic support and even 10 Republicans voting in favor. The passing marked an unprecedented time in American history with President Trump being the first-ever two-time impeached president. Now, little is expected to happen regarding the removal of President Trump, due to the fact that it would have to obtain a two-thirds vote from the Senate, which is at a split majority, and that he is leaving office on January 20. However, the action of impeachment sets an important check on the president, and has future implications for those with similar mindsets, having a limiting effect. Regardless, January 6 will go down as a dark day in American history, a day know one will forget.