Asking an Asian person for math help is a microaggression. Reverse racism does not exist. Men can get pregnant. Those are just a few of the lessons imparted to government workers in diversity trainings and presentations in 2021.

For the first time in 100 years, the contest for Speaker was not decided on the first ballot. Now, the chamber faces an uncertain path forward, and a congressional battle from years ago — all the way back in 1856 — lends insight into how long the tug-of-war over the Speaker’s gavel may last.