Thomas Mundy Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, becomes the first Black American to vote under the newly ratified 15th Amendment.
At a Glance
- Date
- 31 March 1870
- Location
- Perth Amboy, New Jersey
- Key people
- Thomas Mundy Peterson
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- Local election records, March 31, 1870 · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It turned the amendment's promise into an act of citizenship within a day.
What It Means Now
Peterson is honored as the first Black voter of the post-amendment era.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Thomas Mundy Peterson Casts the First Vote Under the 15th Amendment.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/thomas-mundy-peterson-casts-the-first-vote-under-the-15th-amendment/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Thomas Mundy Peterson Casts the First Vote Under the 15th Amendment. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/thomas-mundy-peterson-casts-the-first-vote-under-the-15th-amendment/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Thomas Mundy Peterson Casts the First Vote Under the 15th Amendment.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/thomas-mundy-peterson-casts-the-first-vote-under-the-15th-amendment/.
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.