Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn into the United States Senate as a representative of Mississippi in February 1870. He was a member of the Republican Party and had been elected to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Senator Albert G. Brown. Revels, a Black man born in North Carolina in 1827, was a minister and an educator. His rise to this position was emblematic of the broader changes occurring in the United States during the Reconstruction Era, a time when the federal government sought to reintegrate the Southern states following the Civil War and to enforce the civil rights of newly freed African Americans. Revels’s election was supported by a coalition of Republican voters, including both Black and white citizens who recognized the need for African American representation in government.Revels's swearing-in ceremony took place in the Senate chamber, and upon taking the oath, he acknowledged the historic significance of the moment. His presence in the Senate was a symbol of hope and progress, as it demonstrated that African Americans could partake in the highest levels of government. His speech during the session emphasized the need for reconciliation and unity among all Americans, regardless of race. Revels remarked on the power of education and the importance of upliftment for African Americans, providing a vision for an inclusive society. This powerful message echoed the aspirations of many during this transformative period in American history.