Birth/Death:
1913-1980
Location:
Owens was born September 12, 1913, to a father who was an illiterate Alabama
field laborer. At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Owens won four gold medals
and, before the eyes of the world, dashed Adolf Hitler's boosts of Aryan superiority.
Not only did Owens win the gold, but he tied the Olympic record for the 100-meter
dash and set new Olympic records for the 200-meter run and the long jump.
Early Life:
According to Great African Americans, his athletic gift came to light early when he
consistently outran the local boys, though the frail Owens suffered from malnutrition.
An amazed and sympathetic coach, Charles Riley, took Owens under his wing. Riley
worked him out forty-five minutes a day berore school, while Owens worked several
jobs after classes. On May 25, 1935, when he was a student at Ohio State University,
Owens participated in a Big Ten Conference track meet at the University of Michigan.
The 21-year-old tied the world record for the 100-yard dash and set new world records
for the 220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles, and the broad jump(as the long jump
was called at that time).
Contributions and Significance:
Jesse Owens did three things that were significant. The first thing was that he was an
African-American who was showing his qualities as a person in a time that was rough by
the discrimination. Secondly, his desire to overachieve was a side to him that made you
want to respect him. Winning four gold medals at the Olympics is not something every
Olympian does. His last contribution was that he was the son of an illiterate father and he
was malnurished, and still he was to truimph the way he did. He was setting an example
for future generations.
Today's Impact:
What Owens did was show his guts. No matter if it was Adolf Hitler, he still did not show his
fear. I think that that is how Jesse Owens impacted today's society. He stood for himself, for
African-Americans, and for what was the right thing. Sometimes it is good to stand up to your-
self or for others when needed to, but to not always stand up because that is going against
what is correct.
Why I Chose this History Maker:
I chose Jesse Owens because I knew something about him, so he was familiar. Still I did not
know the whole picture. I wanted to learn about this figure. I am glad I chose him because he
sets an good example as a role model.
1913-1980
Location:
Owens was born September 12, 1913, to a father who was an illiterate Alabama
field laborer. At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Owens won four gold medals
and, before the eyes of the world, dashed Adolf Hitler's boosts of Aryan superiority.
Not only did Owens win the gold, but he tied the Olympic record for the 100-meter
dash and set new Olympic records for the 200-meter run and the long jump.
Early Life:
According to Great African Americans, his athletic gift came to light early when he
consistently outran the local boys, though the frail Owens suffered from malnutrition.
An amazed and sympathetic coach, Charles Riley, took Owens under his wing. Riley
worked him out forty-five minutes a day berore school, while Owens worked several
jobs after classes. On May 25, 1935, when he was a student at Ohio State University,
Owens participated in a Big Ten Conference track meet at the University of Michigan.
The 21-year-old tied the world record for the 100-yard dash and set new world records
for the 220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles, and the broad jump(as the long jump
was called at that time).
Contributions and Significance:
Jesse Owens did three things that were significant. The first thing was that he was an
African-American who was showing his qualities as a person in a time that was rough by
the discrimination. Secondly, his desire to overachieve was a side to him that made you
want to respect him. Winning four gold medals at the Olympics is not something every
Olympian does. His last contribution was that he was the son of an illiterate father and he
was malnurished, and still he was to truimph the way he did. He was setting an example
for future generations.
Today's Impact:
What Owens did was show his guts. No matter if it was Adolf Hitler, he still did not show his
fear. I think that that is how Jesse Owens impacted today's society. He stood for himself, for
African-Americans, and for what was the right thing. Sometimes it is good to stand up to your-
self or for others when needed to, but to not always stand up because that is going against
what is correct.
Why I Chose this History Maker:
I chose Jesse Owens because I knew something about him, so he was familiar. Still I did not
know the whole picture. I wanted to learn about this figure. I am glad I chose him because he
sets an good example as a role model.