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Harold Washington facts for kids
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Harold Lee Washington
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Photo ca. 1980
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| 51st Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office April 29, 1983 – November 25, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Jane Byrne |
| Succeeded by | David Duvall Orr |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district |
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| In office January 5, 1981 – April 30, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Bennett M. Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Charles A. Hayes |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 26th district |
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| In office 1977–1980 |
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| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district |
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| In office 1965–1976 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | April 15, 1922 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | November 25, 1987 (aged 65) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Resting place |
Oak Woods Cemetery Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Dorothy Finch (1942–1950) Mary Ella Smith (? – 1987) (his death) (engaged) |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Roosevelt College Northwestern University School of Law |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Battles/wars |
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Harold Lee Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician. He became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987. The Harold Washington Library is named after him.
Washington was born on April 15, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. He studied at Roosevelt College and at Northwestern University School of Law. He was married to Nancy Dorothy Finch from 1942 until they divorced in 1950. Then he was engaged to Mary Ella Smith until his death in 1987. Washington died suddenly on November 25, 1987 in Chicago City Hall from a heart attack, aged 65.