Andrew Young, after serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 5th district of Georgia, was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on Dec. 16, 1976.
Young, born on March 12, 1932, is a politician and human rights activist who served as a top aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was executive director of King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the civil rights movement. 

During his time as ambassador, Young focused on human rights and economic development in Third World countries, the end of apartheid in South Africa and the recognition of Communist Vietnam. He was forced to resign after meeting with the Palestinian Liberation Organization, then considered a terrorist group.

After his term in the U.N. ended, Young served two terms as mayor of Atlanta and currently serves on the board of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices.  Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.  

(Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)