Colin Powell is sworn in as the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest military post.
At a Glance
- Date
- 1 October 1989
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Colin Powell
- Category
- Military
- Source
- U.S. Department of Defense records (1989) · U.S. Department of Defense
What It Meant Then
It placed a Black officer at the apex of U.S. military command.
What It Means Now
Powell later became the first Black Secretary of State.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Colin Powell Becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/colin-powell-becomes-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Colin Powell Becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/colin-powell-becomes-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Colin Powell Becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/colin-powell-becomes-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs/.
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.