Birth date: September 12,
Birthplace: Oakville, Alabama
In honor of Black History Month, Kidzworld looks at one of the most influential black athletes in history. We got the bio on this track and field legend!
Growing Up
Even at a young age, Jesse Owens was lightning fast. His elementary school gym teacher noticed Jesse's incredible speed after a short race in gym class. A track star at East Technical High School in Cleveland, OH, Jesse set the world record in the yard dash with a time of seconds. Jesse continued his record-setting ways At Ohio State University. In the Big Ten Championships, Jesse tied his yard record and set world records in the yards, the long jump and the yard hurdles! That day is one of the greatest single-day performances in the history of sports.
Discrimination
Jesse grew up in a time and place where racial segregation was at its peak. Despite being a track star at Ohio State, Jesse had to stay in an all-black dorm off campus. He had to eat at all-black restaurants or get carry out at other restaurants. Even though he was the best track athlete in the world, he was not even eligible for a scholarship.
Jesse Owens
James Cleveland Owens (September 12, – March 31, ) was an American athlete. He was from Oakville, Alabama and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He won four NCAA Championships in and At the Summer Olympics, he won gold medals in the meters, meters, long jump and 4x relay.[1] He died of lung cancer in Tucson, Arizona.
Jesse Owens when he won four Olympic gold medals in | |
| Full name | James Cleveland Owens |
|---|---|
| Born | September 12, Oakville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | March 31, () (aged 66) Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Education | Ohio State University, Fairmont Junior High School, East Technical High School |
| Height | Lua error in Module:Convert at line attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
| Weight | lb (75 kg) |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event(s) | Sprint, Long jump |
Early years
Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama and moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was nine years old as the seventh of the eleven children of Henry and Emma Owens. Owens was the grandson of a slave and the son of a sharecropper. He was often sick with what his mother reportedly called "the devil's cold". He was given the name Jesse by a teacher in Cleveland who did not understand his a
Jesse Owens facts for kids
For the film, see Jesse Owens (film).
Owens at the Summer Olympics, where he won four Olympic gold medals | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Cleveland Owens |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | ()September 12, Oakville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | March 31, () (aged 66) Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Woods Cemetery Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Ohio State University, Fairmont Junior High School, East Technical High School |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | lb |
| Spouse(s) | M. Ruth Solomon (m. ) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event(s) | Sprint, Long jump |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 60 yd: yd: m: m: yd: |
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, – March 31, ) was an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the Olympic Games.
He achieved international fame at the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. There he won four gold medals: meters, long jump, meters, and 4 × meter relay. He was the most successful athlete at the Games and, as a black American man, was credited with "single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy".
Early
Jesse Owens Facts & Worksheets
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version Download sampleDownload This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Already a member? Log in to download.Jesse Owens, born James Cleveland Owens, [September 12, – March 31, ] was an African-American track-and-field superstar who was most well-known for the 4 gold medals he won during the Olympic Games in Berlin. The 4-time Olympic gold medalist and setter of three world records was credited in his lifetime as “perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history”.
- Jesse’s real name was James Cleveland Owens and its shortened form, J.C., was really his nickname. Born in Oakville, Alabama, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was 9 [part of the Great Migration; when about million Black Americans moved from the segregated South]. In his new school, when his teacher asked what his name was, he said J.C. but his strong southern a
Biographies you may also like
Eamonn owens biography templates A short bio is a concise and informative summary of your professional background, accomplishments, and personal interests. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to Missing: eamonn owens.
Tayeb kamali biography for kids Dr. Tayeb Kamali, the Chairman of ADSM’s Board of Trustees, said: “The Abu Dhabi School of Management is committed to providing innovative and advanced programs aimed at preparing Missing: biography.
List of biography books for kids Whether you’re looking for biographies for a school project or because your child loves learning more about famous individuals, these biography books for kids are a perfect place to start. .
5 interesting facts about henry ford Read on for 10 fun facts about Henry Ford–inventor, innovator, entrepreneur and all-around American genius! 1) Henry Ford made extra money as a pocketwatch repairman .
Michael chertoff zionist organization Michael Chertoff, the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, was approved in a vote in the U.S. Senate without the question of his Israeli roots and .
Mela mustafa barzani biography of william hill More than four decades have passed since the passing of General Mustafa Barzani, the Kurdish leader who dedicated his life to the Kurdish quest for freedom. Childhood. Mustafa Sheikh .
Jesse Owens Facts & Worksheets
Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Jesse Owens, born James Cleveland Owens, [September 12, – March 31, ] was an African-American track-and-field superstar who was most well-known for the 4 gold medals he won during the Olympic Games in Berlin. The 4-time Olympic gold medalist and setter of three world records was credited in his lifetime as “perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history”.
- Jesse’s real name was James Cleveland Owens and its shortened form, J.C., was really his nickname. Born in Oakville, Alabama, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was 9 [part of the Great Migration; when about million Black Americans moved from the segregated South]. In his new school, when his teacher asked what his name was, he said J.C. but his strong southern a
Biographies you may also like
Eamonn owens biography templates A short bio is a concise and informative summary of your professional background, accomplishments, and personal interests. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to Missing: eamonn owens.
Tayeb kamali biography for kids Dr. Tayeb Kamali, the Chairman of ADSM’s Board of Trustees, said: “The Abu Dhabi School of Management is committed to providing innovative and advanced programs aimed at preparing Missing: biography.
List of biography books for kids Whether you’re looking for biographies for a school project or because your child loves learning more about famous individuals, these biography books for kids are a perfect place to start. .
5 interesting facts about henry ford Read on for 10 fun facts about Henry Ford–inventor, innovator, entrepreneur and all-around American genius! 1) Henry Ford made extra money as a pocketwatch repairman .
Michael chertoff zionist organization Michael Chertoff, the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, was approved in a vote in the U.S. Senate without the question of his Israeli roots and .
Mela mustafa barzani biography of william hill More than four decades have passed since the passing of General Mustafa Barzani, the Kurdish leader who dedicated his life to the Kurdish quest for freedom. Childhood. Mustafa Sheikh .