1875

Blanche Kelso Bruce of Mississippi became the first Black American to serve a full term in the US Senate and the first to preside over the Senate. Unlike Revels, he was elected to a complete six-year term, representing the high-water mark of Black political representation in the 19th century.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers, founded in 1871 to raise funds for Fisk University, completed their second European tour in 1875, performing before Queen Victoria and heads of state across Europe. Their performances of Black spirituals — the first time these songs were systematically preserved and performed in concert settings — raised over $150,000 for Fisk and introduced the world to African American sacred music as high art.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers completed their second European tour in 1875, performing for Queen Victoria and heads of state across Europe. Their performances systematically preserved and presented Black spirituals in concert settings for the first time, raising over $150,000 for Fisk University and introducing African American sacred music as high art to international audiences.

Robert Smalls, who in 1862 had commandeered the Confederate vessel Planter and delivered it to Union forces — becoming a celebrated war hero — was elected to the U.S. House from South Carolina in 1875. He served five terms and was present on the floor when the Civil Rights Act of 1875 passed. He fought disenfranchisement into the 1890s and witnessed the reversal of all he had built.