Having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. – 2 Corinthians 4:1
The state of Iowa ratified the 15th Amendment on this date in 1870, allowing suffrage for any race or color, and/or those who were in “previous positions of servitude,” to be given the right to vote. In the original Bill of Rights, voting was seen as more of a civic right as opposed to a natural or nontransferable right guaranteed to all persons. The initial proposal met with opposition in 1868. Later in the year, the subject was broached again and multiple versions of the amendment were introduced in the House and Senate. In February of the following year, the House and Senate each approved the amendment. Two months later, on February 25, 1869, the House of Representatives (by more than two-thirds of its members) approved the proposed 15th Amendment. This approval was viewed as a remarkable victory of Reconstruction.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the president and officials in his administration as they seek to address injustice and discrimination.
- For U.S. education officials to support and promote both the positive and negative coverage of American history.
