Facts on 20 January
1870 - Hiram R. Revels Becomes First Black U.S. Senator

Hiram R. Revels was elected to the United States Senate by the Mississippi state legislature, becoming the first Black person to serve in the U.S. Senate. He was chosen to fill the seat formerly held by Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. Revels served until March 3, 1871.

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