Hiriam r. revels biography

First black female senator!

February 25, 2020
By Senate Historical Office

Welcome to Senate Stories, our new Senate history blog.

Hiriam r. revels biography

Hiram r revels biography

First black female senator

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In recognition of Black History Month, our first blog post celebrates the sesquicentennial of the swearing in of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American senator.

Library of Congress

Hiram Revels (R-MS)

Library of Congress

Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi was the first African American member of the United States Senate.

He took the oath of office on February 25, 1870.

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. Revels was about to become the first African American to serve in the United States Congress. Just 22 days earlier, on February 3, the Fifteenth Amendment to t