codes denying their rights.

July 28, 1866 Republican Congress authorizes formation of the Buffalo Soldiers, two regiments of African-American cavalrymen.

July 30, 1866 Democrat-controlled City of New Orleans orders police to storm racially-integrated Republican meeting; raid kills 40 and wounds more than 150.

January 8, 1867 Republicans override Democrat President Andrew Johnsons veto of law granting voting rights to African-Americans in D.C.

July 19, 1867 Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnsons veto of legislation protecting voting rights of African-Americans.

March 30, 1868 Republicans begin impeachment trial of Democrat President Andrew Johnson, who declared: This is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I am President, it shall be a government of white men.

May 20, 1868 Republican National Convention marks debut of African-American politicians on national stage; two Pinckney Pinchback and James Harris  attend as delegates, and several serve as presidential electors.

September 3, 1868 25 African-Americans in Georgia legislature, all Republicans, expelled by Democrat majority; later reinstated by Republican Congress.

September 12, 1868 Civil rights activist Tunis Campbell and all other African-Americans in Georgia Senate, every one a Republican, expelled by Democrat majority; would later be reinstated by Republican Congress.

September 28, 1868 Democrats in Opelousas, Louisiana murder nearly 300 African-Americans who tried to prevent an assault against a Republican newspaper editor.

October 7, 1868 Republicans denounce Democratic Partys national campaign theme: This is a white mans country: Let white men rule.

October 22, 1868 While campaigning for re-election, Republican U.S. Rep. James Hinds (R-AR) is assassinated by Democrat terrorists who organized as the Ku Klux Klan.

November 3, 1868