January 8, 1867 - D.C. Gives African-Americans Voting Rights
The U.S. Congress passes a bill approving the right to vote for most African-American male citizens of the District of Columbia -- overriding a veto by President Andrew Johnson -- and the first law giving African-American the right to vote goes into effect. Three years later, ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will give the right to vote to African-American men across the U.S.
Related resources:
- Voters and Voting Rights (FindLaw)
- 15th Amendment (FindLaw)
- Audio: The Voting Rights Act: Past, Present and Future (Justice Talking)
