Honors Joseph Hayne Rainey, the first African American in the U.S. House of Representatives, on his birthday.

The South Carolina House of Representatives honors Joseph Hayne Rainey, born into slavery in 1832, who gained freedom, returned to the U.S., and became a civil rights leader. Rainey made history in 1870 as the first African American in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina during Reconstruction. He championed racial equality, fought against the Ku Klux Klan, supported public education, and defended constitutional rights. His legacy continues through institutions like the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.

Honors Joseph Hayne Rainey, the first African American in the U.S. House of Representatives, on his birthday.

The South Carolina House of Representatives honors Joseph Hayne Rainey, born into slavery in 1832, who gained freedom, returned to the U.S., and became a civil rights leader. Rainey made history in 1870 as the first African American in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina during Reconstruction. He championed racial equality, fought against the Ku Klux Klan, supported public education, and defended constitutional rights. His legacy continues through institutions like the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.