Who was the first African American senator in U.S. history?

Hiram Revels was the first African American senator in U.S. history, serving from 1870 to 1871. Revels, a minister and a civil rights advocate, was elected to the Senate during Reconstruction, a period marked by significant political changes and the inclusion of African Americans in government. His election was a pivotal moment that demonstrated the progress made following the Civil War, reflecting the efforts of the Reconstruction era to integrate formerly enslaved people into American political life. Revels represented Mississippi and was crucial in addressing the issues of race and rights during a time of significant social transformation in the United States.

The other individuals mentioned, while influential in their own rights, were not elected to the Senate. Marcus Garvey was a prominent leader in the Black nationalist movement, Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist and a leading figure in the fight against slavery, and Booker T. Washington was an educator and advocate for vocational training for African Americans. Each played vital roles in advancing the rights and social standing of African Americans, but Hiram Revels stands out as the first to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate.