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On 21 December 1861-exactly a year and a day after the secession of South Carolina-President Abraham Lincoln signed Senate Bill 82 into law. The origins of the award lie with the Civil War. In time, however, conferral of the award began to mirror the status of black Americans in general, embodying a tumultuous history that has not always been so honorable. was one of nearly 300 men of African descent to enlist in the Connecticut militia during the Revolutionary War, and Oscar Marion, a slave on the South Carolina plantation of war hero General Francis Marion, fought side by side with his master, also serving as 'personal assistant, bodyguard, sous-chef, bugler, courier, confidant, and oarsman.' When the Medal of Honor-the nation's highest award for military valor-was established in 1861, African Americans were not excluded. As early as 1652, leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony mandated that all Indians and people of African descent residing in 'settled' areas enlist in a local militia. Since the dawn of the nation, the armed forces have included black Americans.

Miscellaneous Occupations and Realms of Renownīefore 1400: The Ancient and Medieval Worldsġ400–1774: The Age of Exploration and the Colonial Eraġ775–1800: The American Revolution and Early Republicġ801–1860: The Antebellum Era and Slave Economyġ877–1928: The Age of Segregation and the Progressive Eraġ929–1940: The Great Depression and the New Dealġ941–1954: WWII and Postwar Desegregation

Exploration, Pioneering, and Native Peoples

In search of women of african descent who served during the civil war union navy.