On this date in 1863, the War Department created the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment(yes, the one from Glory)

The brave men who joined the all black 54th faced unequal pay, racial disrespect on their own side & risked being lynched or enslaved if captured(1/3)

The 54th was the regiment of our first black Medal of Honor recipient, although it took until 1900
William H. Carney was born a slave in 1840.
During their heroic attack on Fort Wagner, he kept OUR flag from touching the ground, despite multiple gunshot wounds
#History (2/3)

While being helped to the medics, he said "the old Flag never touched the ground boys"
That's HEROISM
That's what black men did for our great republic, even though they wouldn't even gain the right to vote for more than 100 years (3/3)
#BlackLivesMatter

https://www.army.mil/article-amp/181896/meet_sgt_william_carney_the_first_african_american_medal_of_honor_recipient