Hiram Revels Takes His Seat
On February 25, 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first Black person to serve in the United States Senate. His arrival in Congress marked a change that would have seemed impossible only a few years earlier. The Civil War had ended slavery, and the nation was debating what freedom and citizenship would mean for millions of Black Americans.
Revels was born free in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1827. As a young man, he attended schools in the North and became a minister. His religious work took him to several states, where he preached and helped educate Black students. In 1854, he was jailed in Missouri for preaching to a Black congregation, a reminder that even free Black people faced harsh restrictions.
During the Civil War, Revels helped recruit Black soldiers for the Union army. He also served as a chaplain, providing religious support to soldiers. After the war, he settled in Mississippi, where he continued his work as a minister and became involved in politics.
- congregation:
- A group of people gathered for religious worship.
- restrictions:
- Rules or limits that control what people can do.
- amendments:
- Official changes or additions to a constitution.
- representation:
- Having people act and speak for others in government.
- legislature:
- A group of people with the power to make laws.
- vacant:
- Not currently filled or occupied.
- discrimination:
- Unfair treatment of people based on a characteristic such as race.
- oath:
- A formal promise, such as one made when beginning public office.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How did Revels's early experiences show that being born free did not protect Black people from restrictions?
- 2How did Revels contribute to the Union during the Civil War?
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About this biography passage for 6th Grade
“Hiram Revels Takes His Seat” is a biography reading passage about Reconstruction and political representation, written for 6th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (504 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.