1872 – Robert Smalls Wins U.S. Congressional Nomination

On May 6, 1872, Robert Smalls, a formerly enslaved African American who became a Civil War hero, was nominated for the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. Smalls rose to fame for his daring commandeering of a Confederate ship, the CSS Planter, and delivering it to Union forces. His bravery became legendary, and after the war, he transitioned into politics during Reconstruction. Winning the nomination was historic — Smalls symbolized African American leadership in a newly restructured South. He would go on to serve multiple terms in Congress, fighting for civil rights, education, and protection for Black citizens. His nomination and later victories challenged assumptions about African Americans’ role in American political life and continue to inspire today.