Tom Bradley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Bradley
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Tom Bradley in 1984
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| 38th Mayor of Los Angeles | |
| In office July 1, 1973 – July 1, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Yorty |
| Succeeded by | Richard Riordan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 29, 1917 Calvert, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 1998 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ethel Arnold |
| Children | Phyllis Bradley Lorraine Bradley |
| Residences | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (B.A) Southwestern Law School (J.D) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  City of Los Angeles |
| Branch/service |  Los Angeles PoliceDepartment |
| Years of service | 1940-1961 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley (December 29, 1917 – September 29, 1998) was an American politician. He was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles. He served as mayor from 1973 to 1993. He was the only African-American mayor of that city. His 20 years in office make him the longest-serving mayor in Los Angeles history.
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Who Was Tom Bradley?
Tom Bradley was a very important leader in Los Angeles. He was known for his long time as mayor. He helped shape the city for two decades.
Early Life and Career
Tom Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas, in 1917. His family later moved to Los Angeles, California. He went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also studied law at Southwestern Law School.
Before becoming a politician, Bradley was a police officer. He served in the Los Angeles Police Department from 1940 to 1961. He rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant. This experience helped him understand the city's needs.
Becoming Mayor of Los Angeles
In 1973, Tom Bradley was elected Mayor of Los Angeles. This was a big moment in history. He became the second African-American mayor of a major U.S. city. He was re-elected many times. He served for 20 years, which is a record for Los Angeles mayors.
During his time as mayor, he worked on many projects. He helped Los Angeles grow and become a global city. He focused on things like public transportation and economic development.
Later Years and Legacy
Tom Bradley retired from being mayor in 1993. He had served the city for a very long time. In 1985, he received the Spingarn Medal. This award is given by the NAACP. It honors outstanding achievements by African Americans.
Bradley also ran for Governor of California a couple of times. Even though he didn't win, he was a respected figure in politics.
Tom Bradley passed away in 1998 at the age of 80. He is remembered as a pioneering leader. He helped make Los Angeles the diverse and important city it is today.
