Today in History

December 12, 1870

The First African American Congressman

On December 12, 1870, Joseph Hayne Rainey became the first African American to be elected and serve in the United States House of Representatives.

Another African American, Hiram Revels, had earlier been appointed to the U.S. Senate, but Rainey was elected a congressman from the state of South Carolina. His parents were both slaves, but his father was also a barber and had managed to save enough money to buy their freedom.

Following the Civil War, Joseph Hayne Rainey joined the Republican Party and was elected to the South Carolina state senate. He was elected to fill a seat vacated by the incumbent Congressman in 1870 and served until March 3, 1879.

You are free to use this content in your own newsletters and emails with your clients. Travel Research Online is a free service to all professional travel agents offering more than 650 destination guides, epostcards and other marketing and research tools