The first Hispanic person to serve in the United States Congress was Joseph Marion Hernández. He began his service on September 30, 1822, as Florida's first Territorial Delegate. Hernández was born in St. Augustine, Florida, when it was still under Spanish rule, and he became an American citizen after Florida became a U.S. territory. His brief term was mainly diplomatic, advocating for Florida’s statehood and infrastructure improvements.
Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo was the first Hispanic American to serve in the United States Senate, taking his seat on December 7, 1928. He was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and was known for his advocacy of civil rights and education equality for Spanish-speaking Americans.
In summary, Joseph Marion Hernández was the first Hispanic to serve in Congress (House of Representatives as a Territorial Delegate), and Octaviano Larrazolo was the first Hispanic to serve in the U.S. Senate.
