jesseowens

  Jesse Owens was born on September 12, 1913 in Oakville, Alabama. As a high school student, Owens won three events at the 1933 National Interscholastic Championships in Chicago. In one day, May 25, 1935, while competing for Ohio State University he equaled the world record for the 100-yard dash and broke the world records for the 220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles, and the long jump. Owens's performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics has become legend for winning four gold medals. There was a legend that Adolf Hitler would not shake his hand after the competition because he was African-American. For a time, Owens held alone or shared the world records for all sprint distances recognized by the International Amateur Athletic. After retiring from competitive track, Owens engaged in boys' guidance activities, made goodwill visits to India and East Asia for the U.S. Department of State, served as secretary of the Illinois State Athletic Commission, and worked in public relations. In 1976 Owens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1990 he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. He died on March 31, 1980 in Tucson, Arizona.
 * Jesse Owens **