Thomas Mundy Peterson Day is observed in New Jersey every March 31 to honor Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African-American to vote following the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Peterson, born on October 6, 1824, in Metuchen, New Jersey, cast his historic vote on March 31, 1870, during a local election in Perth Amboy, where he supported the revision of the town's charter. This day commemorates his significant contribution to voting rights and the legacy of African-American suffrage. In 1884, Peterson was awarded a gold medallion by the citizens of Perth Amboy in recognition of his achievement, which he wore proudly. The medallion is now exhibited at Xavier University of Louisiana. Established in 1998, this annual observance serves to celebrate the progress made in voting rights and to remember Peterson's pivotal role in history.