Olympian Jessie Owens
Jesse Owens (1913–1980) was born in Oakville, Alabama, the son of sharecroppers. In 1922 the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became a star high school athlete. As a student at Ohio State University he made international headlines in 1935 by breaking five world records and tying another at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1936 Owens dominated the Berlin Olympics with gold medal and record breaking wins in the100- meter and 200-meter race, the long jump, and 400-meter relay. He later worked as a businessman, public speaker, and corporate spokesman. In 1976 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame in 1983.
Jesse Owens (1913–1980) was born in Oakville, Alabama, the son of sharecroppers. In 1922 the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became a star high school athlete. As a student at Ohio State University he made international headlines in 1935 by breaking five world records and tying another at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1936 Owens dominated the Berlin Olympics with gold medal and record breaking wins in the100- meter and 200-meter race, the long jump, and 400-meter relay. He later worked as a businessman, public speaker, and corporate spokesman. In 1976 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame in 1983.