Barbara Charline Jordan is born in Houston, Texas.
At a Glance
- Date
- 21 February 1936
- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Key people
- Barbara Jordan
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- Biographical records · U.S. House History, Art & Archives
What It Meant Then
She would become the first Black woman elected to Congress from the Deep South and a celebrated orator.
What It Means Now
Her 1974 Watergate hearing testimony is studied as a landmark of American civic rhetoric.
Also on 21 February
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Barbara Jordan Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Barbara Jordan Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Barbara Jordan Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barbara-jordan-is-born/.
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.