On April 19, 1971, Reverend Walter E. Fauntroy was sworn in as the first elected Congressional delegate from the District of Columbia since Reconstruction. A civil rights leader and close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fauntroy had played a pivotal role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. His election marked a turning point in D.C.’s fight for political representation, as residents of the capital—long denied voting rights in Congress—finally regained a voice on Capitol Hill. Though non-voting, Fauntroy used his platform to advocate for civil rights, D.C. statehood, and anti-poverty initiatives throughout his 20-year tenure.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
