John W. Menard became the first Black man to speak on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, defending his right to represent Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. Although Menard won the special election, his opponent contested the results. The House refused to seat either candidate, and Congressman James A. Garfield remarked that it was “too early to admit a Negro to the U.S. Congress.” Despite being denied the seat, Menard’s speech marked a historic first for African Americans in U.S. political history.
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