3rd November 1868: John Willis Menard became the first African-American to be elected to Congress

Running against Caleb S. Hunt, Menard secured approximately 64 percent of the vote, and on 3 November 1868 became the first African-American person to be elected to the United States Congress.

28th November 1893: New Zealand women vote for the first time in a national election

Every New Zealand woman over the age of 21 was able to vote in the world’s first general election in a self-governing colony.

6th November 1860: Abraham Lincoln elected as the 16th President of the USA

Abraham Lincoln was elected barely five months before the outbreak of the American Civil War, and was assassinated less than a month before its end.