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P.B.S. Pinchback was the first African-American governor of the United States, and was nearly a U.S. Senator before the racist power structure kept him from taking the post. Pinchback was born on this day in 1837. He remains a significant political figure, as it would be well into the 20th Century before a Black person held a gubernatorial seat.

Born Pickney Benton Stewart to a white father and former slave mother in Macon, Ga., the family was raised primarily in Ohio after the father died. As an adult, the future politician joined the Union Army during the Civil War. While initially serving with white soldiers, he later joined an all-Black unit known as the “Corps d’Afrique.”

After earning a captain’s rank, Pinchback left the Army because of the racism of the other soldiers. In a letter from his sister, he was advised to pass as a white man as presenting as a Black person would never allow him to reach the heights he could.

Using his father’s surname, Pinchback joined the Republican Party, as many Blacks did at the time and entered the world of politics. The Reconstruction Era made it possible for Blacks to briefly held positions in the government although it was rife with racism and divisiveness. In 1868, Pinchback was elected as Louisiana State Senator.

Little Known Black History Fact: P. B. S. Pinchback  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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