James E. O’Hara, a pioneering African American congressman from North Carolina, was born on this day. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on March 4, 1883, he served two terms until March 3, 1887. O’Hara was a strong advocate for civil rights, education, and racial equality during the Reconstruction era and its aftermath, becoming one of the few Black legislators in Congress during the 19th century.
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