UNITED STATES - MARCH 20: Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., speaks during news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center to mark the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (Photo: )
Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history, said he was retiring on Monday. He first took office on Dec. 13, 1955, at the age of 29. Since then, he has been reelected 29 times. He became the longest-serving member on June 7, 2013, surpassing the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) Beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower, he worked with 11 presidents, served with 2,419 House colleagues and cast more than 25,000 votes. There were only 48 states when he was sworn in -- Alaska and Hawaii did not enter the union until 1959.
Here are 11 other events that happened during his tenure:
Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" released as a single. Jan. 27, 1956.
Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) speaks at a news conference, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at the Oakland House of Pizza in Oakland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Barry Loudermilk
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) is interviewed by Roll Call. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
French Hill
Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) speaks during a televised debate at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark., Monday, Oct.13, 2014. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Cresent Hardy
Rep. Cresent Hardy (R-Nev.) speaks at a GOP victory party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Mark DeSaulnier
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) (Photo By Douglas Graham/Roll Call/Getty Images)
Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) speaks to the media during a news conference January 24, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Dutch Ruppersberger
In this Sunday, May 5, 2013, photo provided by CBS News, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) talks about developments in Syria on "Face the Nation" in Washington. (AP Photo/CBS News, Chris Usher)
Angus King
In this Jan. 31, 2013 photo, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) listens to testimony during hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Butch Otter
In this Aug. 20, 2010 file photo, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter works the heels of a calf while team roping with the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association commissioner Karl Stressman at the Caldwell Night Rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Press-Tribune, Charlie Litchfield, File)
James Sensenbrenner
Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis., left) holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 8, 2004 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Blaine Luetkemeyer
Women's FIDE Master Sarah Chiang (L) shares chess tips with Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) during a special event held at United States Capitol Building on April 18, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis)
Joe Heck
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) gives a victory speech after winning re-election to the House of Representatives over Democratic challenger John Oceguera, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
G.K. Butterfield
President Barack Obama, followed by Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., waves as they exit Air Force One upon arrival at Raleigh Durham International Airport in Morrisville, N.C., Tuesday, April 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds)
Markwayne Mullin
Then-Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 2nd district of Oklahoma Markwayne Mullin answers a question during a debate at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mac Thornberry
Congressman Mac Thornberry speaks Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 during a meeting with the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee at the MPEC Exhibit Hall in Wichita Falls, Texas. (AP Photo/Wichita Falls Times Record News, Torin Halsey)
