In 1926, James J. Walker cut short his inaugural speech when a woman in the packed chamber fainted.

For the second spring, the State Treasurer sits in a packed chamber, telling members of the Legislature that the state desperately needs cash.

"This is not a work of art," he told a packed chamber.

At that, members, aides, reporters and some of the spectators in the packed chamber laughed.

The piano was unveiled by Vladimir Ashkenazy, who famously refused to play it in front of the packed chamber because he "had not warmed up".

Tabuchi described before the packed chamber how Nomura's board of directors explicitly approved the payoffs, even though the directors knew they were improper.

General Pinochet was excused from appearing in the packed chamber because of his health.

"Bossi has put not only my patience but also that of the Government to a great test," Mr. Berlusconi told a packed chamber.

"One era closes and another opens today in Peru," Mr. Paniagua, 64, told a packed congressional chamber after he took the oath of office.

The president strode into the packed chamber shortly after 9 p.m. for the traditional back-slapping, hand-grabbing, cheek-kissing walk down the aisle.