On May 2, 1865, just weeks after the Civil War ended, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens delivered a fiery speech demanding full citizenship and suffrage for freed African Americans. As a leader of the Radical Republicans, Stevens pushed for Reconstruction policies that would dismantle the remnants of slavery and ensure civil rights. His speech laid the groundwork for future amendments—the 14th and 15th—that would enshrine Black citizenship and voting rights into the Constitution. Although fiercely opposed by Southern lawmakers, Stevens’ advocacy helped shift the national conversation toward racial equality, even as his vision was only partially realized during his lifetime. His call on May 2 helped ignite the legal and political battles that would define Reconstruction and beyond.