Revels, Hiram Rhodes

1827-1901 · Contribution: 1870-1871

Law & Civil Rights

First African American to serve in the U.S. Congress, seated in the Senate in 1870 just 22 days after the 15th Amendment's ratification

Law & Civil Rights: collage image
Law & Civil Rights

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Quick facts

Born
1827-1901
Category
Law & Civil Rights

Impact on the world

Revels's swearing-in shattered the color line of the U.S. Congress, embodying the promise of the Reconstruction Amendments in a single historic moment.

An alternative history

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Sources

  1. Primary record

    U.S. Senate Historical Office

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