Sen. Blanche Bruce (R-MS) is the only former slave to ever preside over the United States Senate.
Blanche Bruce (March 1, 1841 – March 17, 1898) was born a slave in Virginia in 1841. He died in 1898 as the U.S. Register of the Treasury. Bruce’s mother was a domestic slave, and his father was the slaveowner. Bruce’s father freed him from slavery. He went on to become a teacher before moving to Mississippi where he became a tax collector and newspaper editor.
In 1874, Bruce was appointed by the Mississippi state legislature to the U.S. Senate. This appointment made Bruce the second black person to ever serve in the Senate and the first to serve an entire term. H.R. Revels was elected in 1870 but only served one year. Blanche Bruce is also the only former slave to ever preside over the United States Senate.
TL;DR:
- Blanche Bruce was the first black person to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate
- He won eight votes for Vice President at the 1880 Republican National Convention making him the first black person to win votes in a national election.
- As Register of the Treasury in 1881, Bruce became the first black person to have his signature on U.S. currency.
What You Should Do Now:
- Research your local, state, and federal politicians. Ask yourself if they honestly reflect the demographics of your area.
- Read up on the nine black Americans who have served in the U.S. Senate.
Come back tomorrow for another story of an inspiring black person.
28 Days of Inspirational Black People:
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