BLACK HISTORY MONTH Jesse Owens By 6W class

Facts about Jesse Owens His full name was James Cleveland Owens. He was born on the 12th September He was born in Oakville, Alabama. He was a black American runner who broke records in the 100m, 200m and long jump. Jesse won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Olympics! AMAZING!

Early life Jesse Owens was born on September 12 th His parents were farmers.

When he was 5 he got very ill. He developed a lump on his chest. Because the family were poor, they couldn’t afford a doctor. So, Jesse’s mum and dad performed surgery on him with a kitchen knife!!! Early life

I bet you didn’t know that Jesse was a good runner in primary school? In fact he was the best! His teachers knew from an early age that he was going to be a successful athlete. Early life

His parents were called Henry and Mary Owens. Jesse was the last born of ten children! His oldest sibling was called Lillie. When she was going to college Jesse had just been born. It must have been a busy household! Family life

Jesse impressed all of his family when he represented America in the 1936 Olympics. They didn’t know then that he was about to impress the world. Family life

Jesse Owens walked into a hostile environment coming into the 1936 Olympic Games which was held in Berlin, Germany. At the time, Adolf Hitler was the leader in Germany. Black people were not supported Olympic Games

Hitler, who was largely responsible for World War II, tried to use the Olympic games to prove that the German race was superior to all others. But Jesse stole the show by winning four gold medals - an Olympic record that stood until His victory allowed him to travel with and stay at the same hotel as white people Olympic Games

Unbelievably Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals making him the star of the games. He won the 100m, 200m, relay and the long jump. His long jump world record stood for 48years Olympic Games

Links to WW2 and Hitler Jesse was linked to Hitler because at the 1936 Olympics Hitler walked out during the long jump. Hitler said it was because it was going to rain and he didn’t want to get wet.

Some people think it was because Hitler did not like to see a black athlete be successful. However, Hitler did shake his hand the following day – was he forced to do this? Links to WW2 and Hitler

Why we remember Jesse Owens He proved that black athletes were just as good as anyone else. He impressed the world with his athletic abilities. He won an amazing 4 gold medals in 1 Olympic games. He coached other youngsters when he retired. He showed the world that colour did not matter!