Freedom Calendar 04/09/05 - 04/16/05

April 9, 1866, Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Johnson’s veto; Civil Rights Act of 1866, conferring rights of citizenship on African-Americans, becomes law

April 10, 1953, Oveta Culp Hobby, appointed by President Eisenhower, confirmed as first woman to be U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.

April 11, 1908, Birth of Republican Jane Bolin, first African-American woman in nation to serve as judge, appointed by New York Mayor LaGuardia in 1939.

April 12, 1824, Birth of African-American U.S. Rep. Richard Cain (R-SC); served 1873-75 and 1877-79, securing passage of civil rights legislation.

April 13, 1933, Birth of Native American U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO).

April 14, 1896, George Myers, nationally prominent African-American Republican, rallies southern blacks to support William McKinley, helping him win 1896 presidential nomination.

April 15, 1929, U.S. Rep. Oscar De Priest (R-IL) becomes first African-American in Congress since 1901.

April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signs bill abolishing slavery in District of Columbia; in Congress, 99% of Republicans vote yes, 83% of Democrats vote no.

“We love freedom more, vastly more, than slavery; consequently we hope to keep clear of the Democrats!”

Rep. Joseph Rainey (R-SC), the first African-American in the U.S. House of Representatives (1870-79)

SOURCE: 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar