the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, on February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, prohibiting states from denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Just 22 days later, Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Mississippi politician, minister, and Republican leader, made history by becoming the first Black U.S. senator.
Renowned civil rights activist Wendell Phillips commemorated the moment by calling Revels “the 15th Amendment in flesh and blood.”
Hiram Rhodes Revels: From Civil War Chaplain to U.S. Senator
Before his groundbreaking political career, Hiram Rhodes Revels played a vital role in the Civil War (1861-1865). He served as a chaplain and helped organize two regiments of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), a key force in the Union Army.
At the time of his election, U.S. senators were not yet chosen by popular vote (this would change with the 17th Amendment in 1913). Instead, they were elected by their state legislatures. In 1870, the Mississippi Legislature voted 81-15 to appoint Revels to the U.S. Senate, filling a seat that had been vacant since the Civil War.
A Short but Historic Term in the U.S. Senate
Revels’ tenure in the Senate was brief, lasting just over a year, from February 25, 1870, to March 3, 1871. The seat he filled had been left empty following Mississippi’s secession from the Union, and its term was already set to expire in 1871.
Despite his short term, Revels made a lasting impact as a political moderate and skilled orator. He advocated for racial equality, educational opportunities for Black Americans, and national unity during the Reconstruction Era.
A Legacy Beyond the Senate
Revels continued his public service after leaving the Senate:
- In December 1872, he became Mississippi’s Secretary of State.
- He worked tirelessly to advance civil rights and education for formerly enslaved individuals.
- Throughout his career, he was widely praised as a thoughtful leader and powerful speaker.
The Enduring Impact of Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels paved the way for future generations of Black politicians in the United States. His historic election demonstrated the power of the 15th Amendment and the shifting political landscape of the Reconstruction Era.
📌 More than 150 years later, Revels’ legacy continues to inspire the fight for equality and representation in American politics.
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