Description
Hiram Rhodes Revels was born in NC a free black man. The son of a Baptist preacher, he was college educated, following in his father’s footsteps, was ordained by the AME Church, and preached in MS and KY. When the Civil War began, he helped organize two regiments of US Colored Troops and served as a chaplain. In 1869, he ran for and won a seat in the Mississippi state senate. Hiram Rhodes Revels was one of over 30 African Americans elected to the state senate which had 140 legislators. The Mississippi state senate appointed Revels to serve in the U.S. Senate. He was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress. After leaving office he became the first president of Alcorn University, the first land-grant school for black students.
The United States Senate and House of Representatives comprise the legislative branch of the U.S. government. Each state has two senators regardless of the state’s population. U.S. senators serve staggered terms of six years. Prior to 1913, senators were appointed by their state legislatures. This changed with the 17th Amendment, which mandated senators be elected by popular vote. The Senate has the power to ratify treaties and to confirm cabinet secretaries, federal judges, Supreme Court justices, and other federal executive officials.
Hiram Rhodes Revels was a member of the U.S. Senate prior to his election as vice president. Many of the men who become president and vice president first served in Congress as members of the House of Representatives or in the U.S. Senate. A number of these individuals first served in their state government as governor, state senator or in their state House of Representatives.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia-tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
