L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia is elected the first Black governor in U.S. history.
At a Glance
- Date
- 7 November 1989
- Location
- Richmond, Virginia
- Key people
- L. Douglas Wilder
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- 1989 Virginia election results · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It made him the first African American elected to lead a state since Reconstruction.
What It Means Now
Wilder's victory expanded the horizon of Black statewide political success.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “L. Douglas Wilder Is Elected Governor.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/l-douglas-wilder-is-elected-governor/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). L. Douglas Wilder Is Elected Governor. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/l-douglas-wilder-is-elected-governor/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “L. Douglas Wilder Is Elected Governor.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/l-douglas-wilder-is-elected-governor/.
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.