On this date in 1873, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American cadet to be admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Despite facing extreme racism and social isolation from his peers, he persevered and went on to make history.

In 1877, he became the first Black graduate of West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He later served as a Buffalo Soldier with the 10th Cavalry Regiment in the American West.

Flipper’s career was marked by both achievement and controversy—he was court-martialed in 1881 on questionable charges, but he later worked as an engineer, author, and government consultant. In 1999, he was posthumously pardoned by President Bill Clinton, officially restoring his honor.

A true pioneer! ?