This constitutional amendment revolutionized voting in U.S. and preceded women's suffrage After the Civil War and with the advent of the 15th Amendment, Republicans and African American men mobilized.

The Fifteenth Amendment was the last of three Reconstruction Amendments. The first two were ratified in 1865 and 1868 respectively. The 15th Amendment was a milestone for civil rights.

January 7 marked the sesquicentennial of the Missouri General Assembly ratifying the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that extended voting rights to male African Americans and former slaves.