December 12

On December 12, 1870, Joseph H. Rainey was sworn in as a U.S. Representative from South Carolina. Following the landmark election of Hiram Rhodes Revels to the Senate earlier that year, Rainey joined Congress as the second black member. A formerly enslaved man, Rainey served during the tumultuous Reconstruction era, advocating for civil rights and public education. He worked on committees addressing maritime affairs and championed legislation to protect the rights of freedmen. Rainey's tenure symbolized the brief progress in African American political representation after the Civil War. His achievements laid the groundwork for future generations of black American legislators.

On December 12, 1917, Irish-American priest Edward J. Flanagan established Boys Town near Omaha to shelter and rehabilitate neglected boys. Originally conceived as a farm village, the community provided food, schooling, medical care, and vocational training. Flanagan's compassionate model emphasized family-style homes and democratic self-governance among the boys. Boys Town's success attracted national attention and donations, inspiring similar child welfare initiatives across the United States. The institution received a Congressional charter in 1936, cementing its role in youth reform and social services. Today, Boys Town remains a leading organization in foster care, counseling, and education for at-risk children.