Barbara Jordan becomes the first Black woman to deliver a keynote address at a major party's national convention.
At a Glance
- Date
- 12 July 1976
- Location
- New York, New York
- Key people
- Barbara Jordan
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- 1976 Democratic National Convention records · U.S. House History, Art & Archives
What It Meant Then
Her oratory made her one of the most admired voices in American public life.
What It Means Now
The speech is studied as a masterwork of political rhetoric.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Barbara Jordan Electrifies the Democratic Convention.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-electrifies-the-democratic-convention/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Barbara Jordan Electrifies the Democratic Convention. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-electrifies-the-democratic-convention/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Barbara Jordan Electrifies the Democratic Convention.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-electrifies-the-democratic-convention/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.