Hiram Rhodes Revels Becomes the First African American U.S. Senator
A milestone in American history occurred on February 25th, 1870, as Hiram Rhodes Revels, a minister and educator, became the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Revels’s appointment symbolized progress towards racial equality during the Reconstruction era.
The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is Ratified
On this day in 1870, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting African American men the right to vote. This was a significant step forward in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
A Political Cartoon by Thomas Nast Introduces the Donkey as a Symbol for the Democratic Party
The iconic symbol of the Democratic Party, the donkey, made its political debut on January 15th, 1870, thanks to a cartoon by Thomas Nast. The cartoon depicted Democrats as stubborn but strong.
Papal States of Italy
The Papal States of Italy were annexed into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, marking a pivotal moment in Italian unification.