Throughout Black history, the U.S. Congress has been a key battleground for African Americans seeking political representation and advocating for civil rights. Here are some key moments and figures in the history of Black representation in Congress:

1. Reconstruction Era: Following the Civil War, the Reconstruction era saw the election of the first African Americans to Congress. Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first Black U.S. Senator in 1870, representing Mississippi. He was followed by other Black congressmen during this period, known as Radical Reconstruction.

2. Jim Crow Era: The gains made during Reconstruction were largely rolled back during the Jim Crow era, as Southern states implemented laws and practices to disenfranchise Black voters. As a result, the number of Black representatives in Congress dwindled significantly.

3. Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s led to increased political activism among African Americans and a renewed focus on the fight for voting rights. Figures such as John Lewis, who later became a U.S. Congressman, played key roles in this movement.

4. Voting Rights Act of 1965: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. This legislation played a crucial role in increasing Black political representation in Congress.

5. Recent History: In recent decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of African Americans serving in Congress. Figures such as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and Barack Obama, who became the first Black U.S. President, have made significant contributions to Black political representation.

Overall, the history of Black representation in the U.S. Congress reflects the ongoing struggle for equal rights and political empowerment for African Americans in the United States.