USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A freeman his entire life, Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress. With his moderate political orientation and oratorical skills honed from years as a preacher, Revels filled a vacant seat in the United States Senate in 1870.

Detailed explanation-2: -To date, 11 African Americans have served in the United States Senate. In 1870 Hiram Revels of Mississippi became the first African American senator.

Detailed explanation-3: -One hundred and fifty years ago, on February 25, 1870, visitors in the packed Senate galleries burst into applause as Senator-elect Hiram Revels, a Republican from Mississippi, entered the Chamber to take his oath of office. Those present knew that they were witnessing an event of great historical significance.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hiram Revels of Mississippi became the first African American senator in 1870. Born in North Carolina in 1827, Revels attended Knox College in Illinois and later served as minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

Detailed explanation-5: -Since 1870, when Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina became the first African Americans to serve in Congress, a total of 186 African Americans have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, or Senators.