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Born on September 12, 1913 in Oakville, Alabama, James Cleveland Owens is the last of ten children to Henry and Emma Owens. He is fondly called J.C. by his family. They are sharecroppers, who work the land in exchange for a house, tools, and half of the produced crop.
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Owens attended The Ohio State University only after employment was found for his father, ensuring the family could be supported. Affectionately... Read more
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Birth name:James Cleveland owens
Name change:Jesse Owen's
Nickname:The buckeye bullet
Born:September 12,1913 in Ockuille, Alabama
Died:March 31, 1980 in Tucson, Anizona buried in oak woods cemetery Chicago, lL Height:5'10"
Weight:165 lbs.
Hair color:Black
Eye color:Brown High school:Cleveland East Teachnical High school
College:Ohio State University Parents:Henry and Emma Owen's
Siblings:six brother and sisters
Spouse:Ruth
Children:Gloria, Beverly, and Marlene -
In his senior year at East Tech, Owens is voted as student body president as is made squad captain of the track team. He graduates on May 20, 1933. He wins 4 medals at the National Interscholastic Meet in Chicago. Many colleges want him, but he decides to attend Ohio State.
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Jesse gave the world a preview of things to come in Berlin, while at the big ten Championships in Ann Arboron May 25, 1935, he set three world records and tied a fourth, all in a span of about 45 minutes.
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In between track meets, Owens marries his long time girlfriend Ruth Solomon. Poor grades keep him from competing in the winter season at Ohio State, but he is able to come back in the spring of 1936. He sets a new record in May for the 100-yard dash.
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June 15 Owen's finishes his last quarter at OSU before the Olympics.
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.The American Athletic Union (AAU) makes the winning athletes travel through Europe to help raise money. Tired from all the hard work, Owens leaves for the U.S. early. This angers the AAU. He can no longer compete in any amateur competition, including college events.
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n 1979 Owens is diagnosed with lung cancer. He dies on March 31, 1980 in Tuscon, Arizona. Jesse Owens will always be remembered as the fastest man in the world, and an inspiration to future athletes everywhere.
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The life of a sharecropper is very hard. Owens sister Lillie moves to Cleveland and finds work. She invites her family to come to Ohio to start a new life. The family moves to Cleveland in 1922 when Owens is 9 years old. He attends Bolton Elementary where the teacher mistakenly calls him Jesse.
