Harold Washington Elected First Black Mayor Of Chicago
Harold Washington shook up traditional American Politics when he was elected Mayor of Chicago, Illinois on April 11, 1983. His election was received with great pride and political optimism by millions of African Americans. Washington serving as mayor from April 29, 1983 until his death of a heart attack on November 25, 1987.

Washington was elected to the United States Congress where he served from 1981 to 1983. The election of Washington to mayor of Chicago was more than symbolic pride to millions of African Americans, but a very real bolt of optimism that African Americans were able to reach the pinnacle of political success, regardless of the obstacles that were placed in their way. Harold Washington, the first African American mayor of Chicago, died of a heart attack on November 25, 1987 in Chicago at age 65.