BlackPast Organization

(2023) Hakeem Jeffries’ First Speech as Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives

On January 6, 2023, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries gave his first speech before the U.S. House of Representatives as the leader of the Democratic Caucus. He is the first African American to lead a major party in either house of Congress and if the … Read More(2023) Hakeem Jeffries’ First Speech as Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives

(1963) Martin Luther King Cobo Hall Speech

On June 23, 1963, two months before the March on Washington, King stood before a throng of 25,000 people at Cobo Hall in Detroit to expound upon making “the American Dream a reality”. King repeatedly exclaimed, “I have a dream this afternoon”. He articulated the … Read More(1963) Martin Luther King Cobo Hall Speech

(1890) Disenfranchisement Clause, The Mississippi Constitution of 1890

ARTICLE 12 – FRANCHISE Sec. 240. All elections by the people shall be by ballot. Sec. 241. Every male inhabitant of this State, except idiots, insane persons and Indians not taxed, who is a citizen of the United States, twenty-one years old and upwards, who … Read More(1890) Disenfranchisement Clause, The Mississippi Constitution of 1890