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| | [[Image:Jesse Owens.jpg|right]] | | [[Image:Jesse Owens.jpg|right]] |
| − | '''James Cleveland Owens''' (b. September 12, 1913, Oakville, [[Alabama]] - March 31, 1980) American athlete; he won four gold medals at the 1936 [[Olympics|Olympic Games]] in Nazi [[Berlin]]. | + | '''James Cleveland Owens''' (b. September 12, 1913, Oakville, [[Alabama]] - March 31, 1980) American athlete; he won four gold medals at the 1936 [[Olympics|Olympic Games]] in Nazi [[Berlin]].<ref>http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/owens-wins-4th-gold-medal</ref> |
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| | The media and spectators paid special attention to [[Jesse Owens]] (1913-1980), the black American track and field star. Owens, who craved the chance to compete, resisted the [[NAACP]]'s pleas that he support the boycott. He won four gold medals and was enthusiastically cheered in the face of Nazi propaganda about "Negro inferiority." The film "Olympia" (1938), made by Nazi producer-director [[Leni Riefenstahl]] set the modern standard for high quality documentaries, and prominently featured Owens. He was miffed that not only Hitler did not congratulate him, but neither did President Roosevelt. | | The media and spectators paid special attention to [[Jesse Owens]] (1913-1980), the black American track and field star. Owens, who craved the chance to compete, resisted the [[NAACP]]'s pleas that he support the boycott. He won four gold medals and was enthusiastically cheered in the face of Nazi propaganda about "Negro inferiority." The film "Olympia" (1938), made by Nazi producer-director [[Leni Riefenstahl]] set the modern standard for high quality documentaries, and prominently featured Owens. He was miffed that not only Hitler did not congratulate him, but neither did President Roosevelt. |
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| | In 1976, Jesse was awarded the highest honor an American civilian can receive. President [[Gerald R. Ford]] awarded him with the Medal of Freedom. [http://www.jesseowens.com/biography/] | | In 1976, Jesse was awarded the highest honor an American civilian can receive. President [[Gerald R. Ford]] awarded him with the Medal of Freedom. [http://www.jesseowens.com/biography/] |
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| | ''"Perhaps no athlete better symbolized the human struggle against [[tyranny]], [[poverty]] and [[racial bigotry]]. His personal triumphs as a world-class [[athlete]] and record holder were the prelude to a career devoted to helping others. His work with young athletes, as an unofficial ambassador overseas, and a spokesman for [[freedom]] are a rich legacy to his fellow Americans".'' President [[James Carter]]. [http://www.jesse-owens.org/about5.html] | | ''"Perhaps no athlete better symbolized the human struggle against [[tyranny]], [[poverty]] and [[racial bigotry]]. His personal triumphs as a world-class [[athlete]] and record holder were the prelude to a career devoted to helping others. His work with young athletes, as an unofficial ambassador overseas, and a spokesman for [[freedom]] are a rich legacy to his fellow Americans".'' President [[James Carter]]. [http://www.jesse-owens.org/about5.html] |