1973 – Tom Bradley Elected Mayor of Los Angeles

On May 29, 1973, Tom Bradley made history by being elected the first African American mayor of Los Angeles, becoming the first Black mayor of a major Western U.S. city. A former LAPD officer and city councilman, Bradley’s election broke racial barriers in a city deeply divided by race and class. His campaign coalition of Black, Latino, Jewish, and white liberal voters marked a new era in urban politics. As mayor, Bradley focused on civil rights, infrastructure development, and economic expansion, serving five terms from 1973 to 1993. His leadership helped position Los Angeles as a global metropolis and became a model for multiracial urban governance. May 29 is a key date in the political empowerment of African Americans, showing that progressive coalitions could win high office even amid institutional racism. Bradley\’s legacy remains vital in conversations about inclusive politics and urban policy today.