Harold Washington became the city's first African American Mayor when he was inaugurated April 29, 1983.

The Grassroots Campaign for Harold Washington for Mayor held a rally at Palm Tavern on the night before the Primary Election.

He won the Democratic Primary February 22, 1983, defeating Mayor Jane M. Byrne and Illinois States Attorney Richard M. Daley. He carried the Mayoral General Election on April 12, 1983 against Republican candidate Bernard E. Epton.

Mayor Washington's accomplishments for the city of Chicago include:

• coalition building between neighborhood groups, and special interest groups;
• community development; providing services for neighborhoods including streets, curbs, and
• gutters rehabilitation;
• creation of the Ethics Commission;
• opening of government to Freedom of Information;
• more Minority Business Contracts, including the largest in the city's history, the People Mover at O'Hare airport.

Mayor Washington won his re-election bid in April 1987. He died in office on Nov. 25, 1987.