Harold Washington

Politician

Birthday April 15, 1922

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Chicago, IL

DEATH DATE Nov 25, 1987 (65)

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About

American lawyer and politician who became the first African American mayor of Chicago, Illinois in 1983. He also served in the US House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, and the Illinois House of Representatives during his long political career.

Before Fame

He was a First Sergeant in the Air Force during World War II, spending much of his time fighting in a segregated unit in the Philipines.

Trivia

He defeated the first female mayor of Chicago, Jane Byrne, to become the first African American mayor of Chicago.

Family Life

He married Nancy Finch in 1942.

Associated With

He ran against future mayor Richard M. Daley during the 1983 Democratic primaries in Chicago.