John Lewis

21 February 1940 – 17 July 2020

John Lewis was an American civil rights leader and politician who served as U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. As one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement, he chaired the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and led the 1965 Selma march, where he was beaten on "Bloody Sunday." He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

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Life events

Born near Troy, Alabama
21 February 1940

Born the son of sharecroppers outside Troy, Alabama.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Joined the Freedom Rides
1961

Participated in the Freedom Rides challenging segregation on interstate buses.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became chairman of SNCC
1963 – 1966

Elected chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Spoke at the March on Washington
28 August 1963

Addressed the crowd as the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led the Selma to Montgomery march on Bloody Sunday
7 March 1965

Beaten by state troopers while leading marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
3 January 1987 – 17 July 2020

Began representing Georgia's 5th congressional district in Congress.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
15 February 2011

Received the nation's highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Atlanta, Georgia
17 July 2020

Died of pancreatic cancer; he later lay in state at the U.S. Capitol.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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