Black History Facts for Today by Yenoba.com December 14John Mercer Langston was born on this date in 1829. Langston was elected Clerk of Brownhelm Township, OH, in 1855. This election is believed to be the first in which a black person was elected to public office. Langston later became Virginia's first black Congressman. More Black History Facts for Today go to:WWW.YENOBA.COMYour Source for Black History