1870 – Black Men Vote in South Carolina Elections

On May 24, 1870, African American men in South Carolina participated in one of the first major post-Civil War elections under Reconstruction that included their right to vote. Following the passage of the 15th Amendment in February 1870, this election was a watershed moment for Black political agency in the South. Thousands of newly enfranchised Black voters cast ballots, electing representatives and helping shape policies for a more equitable state. South Carolina, which had a Black majority at the time, became a powerful example of what inclusive democracy could look like. Black legislators began to take office and push for public education, civil rights protections, and economic reforms. May 24 represents a day of transformation, where centuries of exclusion were momentarily overturned. Although Reconstruction was later violently dismantled, this moment remains a testament to the power of political participation and the unfinished fight for full Black citizenship.