On the anniversary of the violent insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, lawmakers present at the U.S. Capitol that day recalled their trauma, and the work still left to do to protect American democracy.

In emotional testimony from the House floor on Thursday, U.S. representatives recalled ducking and crawling, putting on gas masks and fashioning makeshift weapons out of ordinary office tools as Capitol officers helped them to escape from incoming rioters.

We saw the mob at the doors, recalled Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas). As we were exiting, I saw the glass breaking, the officers staying behind, their guns drawn.

The congressman, who had a 23-month-old son at home and a baby on the way, noted that had those officers not held that line, I would not have met my son.

One year ago, an armed mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers were gathered to certify the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won over then-President Trump.

Before the riot, Trump incited the crowd at a nearby rally by claiming the election had been stolen. Five people died in the ensuing mayhem and its immediate aftermath, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

The parents of officer Brian Sicknick, who had two strokes following the riot and died the next day, were present as lawmakers gave testimony Thursday, and Allred said to them: Your sons sacrifice allowed me to meet mine.

The day of the insurrection was only the fourth day in office for newly elected Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), who said she will never forget the sound of the doors closing and being locked fashioning weapons out of pens and my high heels climbing over chairs and under rails looking to my right and seeing the mob as we rushed to get out.

Lawmakers urged the importance of securing the right to vote in order for democracy to prevail.

Our democracy is very fragile and the cult of the big lie is still very much in action with the help of the vast majority of our colleagues on the other side, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), recalling how on Jan. 6 she planned to use her cane from a knee replacement surgery to fight back if attacked.

I remember not knowing if I would make it out alive or if our democracy itself would survive, Jayapal said. Our work ahead must include signing into law voting rights legislation.