Harold Washington, Chicago's first African-American mayor, won election in 1983, overcoming a Republican opponent's "Before It's Too Late" slogan. However, the normally docile City Council rebelled, with a virtually all-white majority bloc refusing to pass legislation or approve appointments. This "Council Wars" standoff lasted nearly three years.
Punch 9 for Harold Washington
Elected in 1983, Harold Washington became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, navigating significant political challenges and ultimately leaving a profound legacy that transcended the city's boundaries.