Description
2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which banned racial discrimination at the polls. President Ulysses S. Grant played a role in pushing the 15th Amendment towards ratification and described it as "the greatest civil change" to have occurred since the founding of the United States. But Grant initially opposed black voting rights, as did many of his fellow white northerners. Park Ranger Nick Sacco will examine the history of voting rights in 19th century and show how President Grant evolved to support the 15th Amendment.