NEW #VRABlackHistory 2024, February 5th, 2024- Octavius Valentine Catto (1839 – 1871): A Black History Hero Forgotten No More
Today, February 5th, 2024, we honor Octavius V. Catto. "Octavius Valentine Catto (1839 – 1871) was one of the most influential African American leaders in Philadelphia during the 19th century. Inspired by the Civil War, Catto became an adamant activist for the abolition of slavery and establishment of equal rights for all men, regardless of race. He successfully fought for the desegregation of Philadelphia’s public trolleys and ratification of the 15th amendment to the Constitution, which bars voting discrimination on the basis of race . In addition to his work as a Civil Rights activist, he was also an educator , scholar, writer, and accomplished baseball player – helping to recognize Philadelphia as a Negro baseball league focal point...Catto was only thirty-two when he was shot and killed outside of his home on Philadelphia’s South Street on October 10, 1871, the first election day that African Americans were allowed to vote. His activism and efforts to get African Americans to the polls led to his murder – a violent action that was seen as a result of widespread intimidation by whites to deter the black vote."
