STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

This Day in Black History: Nov. 3, 1983

Jesse Jackson announced that he would run for president of the United States on Nov. 3, 1983.

Rev. Jesse Jackson has been involved in politics since the dawn of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, so it was no surprise when he announced that he was running for president of the United States on Nov. 3, 1983. Exactly 37 years ago today.

The long-time activist became the second African-American in American history to run for president in a major party. Although many of his naysayers deduced Jackson as a “fringe” candidate, he shocked the nation when he took third place in the Democratic Party after Sen. Gary Hart and former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Although Mondale won the nomination, Jackson put up a good fight winning 3,282,431 primary votes and won three to five primaries and caucuses, including Louisiana, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and one of two separate contests in Mississippi.
RELATED: Ava DuVernay Responds To Trump’s ‘Both Sides’ Comment About The Central Park Five

He would try his luck again in 1988, vying for the coveted Democratic Party presidential nomination. The second time around he captured 6.9 million votes and won 11 contests; seven primaries, and four caucuses, but was not elected.
See a summary on Jackson's historic run in the video below:

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.