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Born
James Cleveland was the seventh child of Henry and Emma Alexander Owens. He was born on September 12,1913 in Oakville, Alabama. But was given the nick name J.C at a young age -
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Death
Jesse Owens dies on March 31,1980 in Tuscon, Arizona from complications from Lung Cancer. -
Childhood years
When Cleveland was six years old, he worked in a cotton field to help support his family. -
child hood
When J.C moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was eight years old his elementary school teacher was doing attendance and misheard J.C and thought she heard him say Jesse instead but J.C never had the heart to correct her so he stuck by the name Jesse Owns ever since. -
Setting Records
In Junior High Jesse Owens set his first record in major track events. His record in the high jump was 6 feet, and in leaping 22 feet , 11 3/4 inches in the long jump -
High School Out Break
Jesse Owens sets two world records in 100 meter dash by setting the time 9.4 seconds and 220 meter dash by running the time 20.7 seconds. This took place at a Nation Interscholastic meet in Chicago -
family vs college
Jesse Owens made a difficult decision going away to college while leaving his fiance Ruth and daughter Gloria back home. Jesse also had to work small jobs to send his wife money to take care of his daughter while his fiance worked in a beauty salon. -
Jesse and the Track
Jesse Owens has a back injury from falling down the stairs the day before his competition, but convinces his coach Larry Snyder to let let run the 100 meter dash and amazingly sets his record of 9.4 seconds again. Jesse Owens also stetted three other records in three different events during this meet. -
The Boycott to Berlin Olympics
Avery Brundage makes an effort to send America to the 1936 Olympics, Because during this time Joseph Goebbels ( A German politician did not want to send America to go to the 1936 Olympics because the American teams had team players who were Jewish, Black, and other nationalities. -
Olympics 1936 (Germany)
In the Olympics 1936 in Berlin, Germany where Jesse Owens become the first African American in the Olympics to win four gold medals in Track and Field in a single Olympiad. -
1984 Olympics
It wasn't until the 1984 Olympics that American Carl Lewis beat Jesse Owens record after his death in 1980 in Tuscan , Arizona. -
Jesse Owens Quotes
1."We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort."
2."One chance is all you need."
3."If you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best."
