EPISODE · Sep 25, 2025 · 0 MIN
#OTD in 1861: Union Navy Opens Ranks to African Americans
from AURN News · host Jamie Jackson, Ebony McMorris, Clay Cane
On Sept. 25, 1861, the Union Navy allowed African Americans to enlist for the first time during the Civil War. Many were formerly enslaved people who escaped to join the fight for freedom and the Union cause. Eight African American sailors went on to earn the Medal of Honor for bravery. But progress was slow — African Americans were restricted to limited roles for decades, and the Navy didn’t commission its first Black officers until 1944. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
On Sept. 25, 1861, the Union Navy allowed African Americans to enlist for the first time during the Civil War. Many were formerly enslaved people who escaped to join the fight for freedom and the Union cause. Eight African American sailors went on to earn the Medal of Honor for bravery. But progress was slow — African Americans were restricted to limited roles for decades, and the Navy didn’t commission its first Black officers until 1944. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter
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#OTD in 1861: Union Navy Opens Ranks to African Americans
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