Which person is noted as the first African-American elected to either House of Congress?

Which person is noted as the first African-American elected to either House of Congress?

• A. Hiram Revels
• B. Blanche K. Bruce
• C. Joseph Rainey
• D. Oscar De Priest

Answer: (A)

The moment being tested is who first broke the color barrier in the U.S. Congress. Hiram Revels was elected to the United States Senate in February 1870, becoming the first African American to serve in either chamber. This predates Joseph Rainey, who would later take a seat in the House of Representatives in December 1870 and become the first Black member of the House. Blanche K. Bruce came later as a senator, and Oscar De Priest would be the first Black member of the House in the modern era (elected in 1949). So the earliest milestone is Revels’ Senate office.

The moment being tested is who first broke the color barrier in the U.S. Congress. Hiram Revels was elected to the United States Senate in February 1870, becoming the first African American to serve in either chamber. This predates Joseph Rainey, who would later take a seat in the House of Representatives in December 1870 and become the first Black member of the House. Blanche K. Bruce came later as a senator, and Oscar De Priest would be the first Black member of the House in the modern era (elected in 1949). So the earliest milestone is Revels’ Senate office.