On May 7, 1976, William H. Hastie was inaugurated as the first Black governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. territorial leadership. Though he had previously served as governor by presidential appointment in the 1940s, this ceremony commemorated his official election through democratic processes. A former federal judge and civil rights trailblazer, Hastie had long advocated for self-governance and representation of the Virgin Islands. His legacy includes pushing for political autonomy and serving as a role model for future generations of Black public servants in the Caribbean and beyond.
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