February 25
February 25, 1870
First Black U.S. Senator Sworn In
On February 25, 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi was sworn in as the first African American member of the United States Senate. He filled the seat once held by Confederate President Jefferson Davis, marking a profound symbolic shift in American politics.
People: Hiram Rhodes Revels
February 25, 1870
Hiram Revels Becomes First Black U.S. Senator
On February 25, 1870, Hiram Revels of Mississippi took his seat in the U.S. Senate, becoming the first African American to serve in Congress. He was elected during Reconstruction to fill the seat once held by Jefferson Davis.
People: Hiram Revels
Sources
1. Hiram Rhodes Revels - National Park Service2. Hiram Revels - U.S. Senate - U.S. Senate Historical Office3. Hiram Revels: The First African American Senator - PBSFebruary 25, 1837
First Historically Black College Founded
Founded on February 25, 1837, the Institute for Colored Youth was established by Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys. Now known as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, it is the oldest HBCU in the United States.
Sources
1. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania - The First HBCU - Cheyney University2. The Institute for Colored Youth - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture3. The History of HBCUs - U.S. Department of EducationLink copied!
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