150 years ago today........
March 30, 1870: Following its ratification by the requisite three-fourths of the states, the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution.
And the very next day........
One day after it was adopted, Thomas Peterson-Mundy of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, became the first African American to vote under the authority of the 15th Amendment.
(https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/15th-amendment-adopted)
And this is cool: "In 1998, by joint resolution of the New Jersey state legislature, March 31st was officially recognized as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day."
Unfortunately, the battle for voting rights was not anywhere close to being over. Nasty ideas such as poll taxes and literacy tests kept discrimination at the forefront of America's elections well into the 1900's.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
March 30, 1870: Following its ratification by the requisite three-fourths of the states, the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution.
And the very next day........
One day after it was adopted, Thomas Peterson-Mundy of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, became the first African American to vote under the authority of the 15th Amendment.
(https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/15th-amendment-adopted)
And this is cool: "In 1998, by joint resolution of the New Jersey state legislature, March 31st was officially recognized as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day."
Unfortunately, the battle for voting rights was not anywhere close to being over. Nasty ideas such as poll taxes and literacy tests kept discrimination at the forefront of America's elections well into the 1900's.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt