Charles Diggs Sr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Diggs Sr.
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 3rd district
In office 1937–1944
Personal details
Born	January 2, 1894 Tallula, Mississippi
Died	April 25, 1967 (aged 73) Detroit, Michigan
Resting place	Detroit Memorial Park
Political party	Republican at first, and then alternating between the Democratic and the Republican parties.
Spouse	Mamie E. Jones-Diggs
Profession	Mortician

Charles Coles Diggs Sr. (born January 2, 1894 – died April 25, 1967) was an important American politician. He made history as the first African-American Democrat to be elected to the Michigan Senate. This is like being a representative for your state in the government.

Charles Diggs Sr. was born in Tallula, Mississippi. In 1913, he moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, he owned a very successful funeral home business.

Political Journey of Charles Diggs Sr.

Charles Diggs Sr. first became interested in politics in the 1920s. He started as a member of the Republican Party. Later, in 1932, he switched to the Democratic Party. He helped create and organize Black Democratic Clubs in Detroit. These clubs helped people get involved in politics.

Serving in the Michigan Senate

From 1937 to 1944, Diggs Sr. was a member of the Michigan State Senate. He represented the 3rd District. As a state senator, he helped make laws for the state of Michigan. He also represented Michigan at the 1940 Democratic National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Democratic Party chose its candidate for president.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Charles Diggs Sr. became known as a strong supporter of civil rights. This means he worked to make sure all people had equal rights, no matter their race. He also supported organized labor, which are groups that protect workers' rights.

In 1938, something important happened to him. When he went to Lansing for his first session in the Michigan Legislature, he was not allowed to get a room at a hotel because he was Black. This hotel was right across from the State Capitol building. Because of this unfair treatment, he had to live in a separate neighborhood in Lansing.

This experience made him work even harder for equality. He introduced new laws to make Michigan's civil rights stronger. One of these laws was called the Diggs Law. It was also known as the Equal Accommodations Act of 1938. This law made it illegal to refuse service to someone because of their race or beliefs. Governor Frank Murphy signed this important law.

Later Political Efforts

In 1944, Diggs Sr. lost his election in the Democratic primary. He later tried to become a U.S. Representative for Michigan. He ran as a Republican in 1948 and as a Democrat in 1952, but he was not successful in those elections.

Family and Legacy

Charles Diggs Sr. was very involved in his family's business, the House of Diggs funeral home. At one point, it was said to be the largest funeral home in Michigan.

He was also the father of another important politician, Charles C Diggs, Jr.. Charles C Diggs, Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and became a U.S. Representative.

Charles Diggs Sr. passed away on April 25, 1967, at the age of 73. He was buried at Detroit Memorial Park in Warren.

Images for kids

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  Charles Diggs Sr. in 1943.