What year was the Congressional Black Caucus founded?

a) 1870

b) 1925

c) 1969

d) 1971

Answer: c. In January 1969, newly elected African American representatives of the 77th Congress joined six incumbents to form the Democratic Select Committee. That panel was later renamed the Congressional Black Caucus and the CBC was born in 1971.

Hiram Rhodes Revels was elected to the Senate in 1870, becoming the first black person to serve in that chamber and the first in the U.S. Congress as well. He represented Mississippi in 1870 and 1871 during Reconstruction.

At least two whites have attempted to join the CBC — Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., tried in 2006 and before that, Pete Stark, D-Calif., tried in 1975.

Only four black Republicans have been elected to Congress since the caucus was formed. Of these, Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla. (1995-2003), famously refused to join the group, while Rep. Gary Franks, R-Conn. (1991-97), was a member but encountered difficulties as a minority of one.