112th Congress, 2nd Session
June 21, 1832
The first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, Joseph Rainey, was born into slavery on this date in Georgetown, South Carolina.
February 27, 1869
With the passage of the 15th Amendment, African Americans first exercised the vote, catapulting hundreds of southern blacks into public office. John Willis Menard of Louisiana became the first African American to address the U.S. House.
February 14, 1874
Representative Robert De Large of South Carolina—one of nearly two dozen African Americans to serve in Congress during the Reconstruction Era—died on this date.
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House LegislationHave students search the highlight dates and locate reference to any legislative document (bill, resolution, speech, etc.). Ask students to track down the document at a local depository library. Students should research the historical background of the document and make a brief presentation which includes reading all or portions of the document aloud. To locate a nearby federal depository library go to http://catalog.gpo.gov.
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