Biden delivers a speech surrounded by Pelosi and Harris, in My History First: NPR

When he addresses the President of Congress alongside the Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, it is tradition. But when women fill both seats, that date is in the making.

This was the case Wednesday night, when President Biden delivered his first joint speech to a crowd of lawmakers wearing masks. But the pandemic was not the only factor that made history. Behind him sat two California women: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom are the first two women to hold office.

Biden acknowledged the historic moment at the beginning of his remarks, addressing “Madam Speaker of Parliament, Madam Vice President,” as applause erupted in the room that contained about 200 people.

“No president has said these words from this rostrum, and the time has come,” he said.

Harris made history last November when she became the first woman, first black woman, first Indian American and first Asian American to be elected vice president. She said on time That “while I may be the first, I will not be the last.”

Pelosi, for her part, led the caucus in the House of Representatives for the Democratic Party Almost two decades And it smashed its share of glass roofs along the way, she indicated Wednesday An interview with MSNBC.

“It’s very exciting, and it’s great to be making history,” she said when asked about the next title. “The time has come. I made history when I was the first speaker behind President Bush, and he noticed that. Now, that’s just, just so exciting.”

In fact, former President George W. Bush started his business in 2007 State of the Union With a nod to Pelosi. After he admitted that he was the first president to open his remarks with the phrase “Madam Speaker of Parliament,” a crowd of lawmakers (mostly male) applauded with a standing ovation.

After more than a decade, lawmakers and voters alike are celebrating another important phase.

“Like many women, I feel proud in this moment and seeing this acting. It’s been long overdue,” chirp Representative Barbara Lee, California.

The tennis legend wrote: “Greetings to VP Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, for making her way over the course of 245 years.” Billie Jean King.

Pelosi made headlines for the latest Unforgettable appearance In the president’s speech to Congress last year, when she visibly tore her copy of former President Donald Trump’s speech in half at the end of his latest State of the Union address.

His successor takes notes in a noticeably different location. And at another historic moment, Biden was escorted into the corridor of the House room on Wednesday by William Walker, who became the first sergeant in the Black House when he was Pelosi Earlier this week.