21 photos show how the historic day that Trump was impeached unfolded

On December 18, the House of Representatives prepared to debate and vote over whether President Donald Trump should be impeached.

Over the last few months, Congress had been investigating whether Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden, and his son.

Outside the Capitol, protesters called for Trump to be impeached.

Source: The New York Times

It was an important day for America. Trump's presidency and looming impeachment has shown a deep divide between Republicans and Democrats.

Sources: Washington Post, Business Insider

The House opened proceedings at 9 a.m. But before debating whether to impeach, members discussed rules and parameters of the debate.

Source: Business Insider

House minority leader Kevin McCarthy filed a disapproving resolution about the way House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler conducted the impeachment inquiry and hearings. The resolution was tabled with a vote of 228-191.

Source: Business Insider

At a little after 12.10 p.m., Pelosi "solemnly and sadly" opened the debate. She added, "If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president's reckless actions make impeachment necessary. He gave us no choice."

The New York Times noted that she dressed darkly to mark the solemn day, adding a golden brooch in the shape of the mace of the House of Representatives.

While the debate was meant to last for up to six hours, it went on for 10 hours. Instead of flowing back and forth, it was hours of individual lawmakers delivering their own conclusions about impeachment.

Source: The New York Times

Republicans argued heatedly on behalf of Trump. One notable speech came from Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, who said Jesus was treated more fairly than Trump before he was crucified.

Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio later called for a moment of silence to "remember the the voices of the 63 million American voters" who voted for Trump.

(The final vote tally from the 2016 election was 62.97 million for Trump and 65.84 million for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump overwhelmingly won the Electoral College, 306-232.)

Another memorable speech came from Rep. Mike Kelly, who compared Trump's impeachment proceedings to Pearl Harbor.

"On December 7, 1941, a horrific act happened in the United States and it's one that President Roosevelt said, 'This is a date that will live in infamy,'" Kelly said.

"Today, December the 18, 2019, is another date that will live in infamy."

Democrats spoke about the need to impeach Trump. Rep. John Lewis reminded the House, "We do not have kings, we have presidents." Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said impeachment is "not only patriotic, it is uniquely American."

Source: Business Insider

After 10 hours of debate, the House voted on whether to impeach Trump.

The nation watched closely.

The abuse of power article was passed 230-197, while obstruction of Congress article passed 229-198. Both were largely along party lines.

Source: Business Insider

Two Democrats voted against the first article charging Trump with abuse of power: Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted for the abuse article but against the obstruction of Congress article.

Source: Business Insider

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii voted "present" on both impeachment articles. She released a statement that said, "I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing."

Source: Time

Some, like Oregon resident Cynthia Speckman cheered when the minimum number of votes was passed to impeach Trump.

After the successful vote, Democrat leaders like Schiff spoke to the media about what it meant and what came next.

Pelosi told reporters she might delay sending the articles to the Senate for its hearing, until Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell outlined a fair process.

Source: Business Insider

Meanwhile, after a day tweeting about the hearings, Trump flew to Battle Creek, Michigan, for a campaign rally. He said the Republican Party had never been as united as it was now, since the entire party voted against impeaching him.

Sources: The New York Times, Time

During the rally, he repeatedly said he wasn't worried, before asking the crowds if they knew what the Democrats had done. "They have cheapened the impeachment process," he said. It was his longest rally speech ever at 121 minutes, according to the Washington Post.

Sources: Washington Post, The New York Times

It was late when Trump returned to the White House, as the third US president to have ever been impeached.

Source: The New York Times