Jesse Owens, track and field superstar, passed away on March 31, 1980 at the age of 66. Owens is remembered for his performance at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where he won four gold medals in track and field and was a global symbol for the fight against racism and oppression. Owens was born on September 12, 1913 in Oakville, Alabama to sharecropper parents, Henry and Mary Emma Fitzgesrrald Owens. He attended Cleveland's East Technical High School, where his track and field talents were discovered. He gained national attention after performing impressively in the Big Ten championships while attending Ohio State University. Owens set numerous records in the mid-1930s before becoming an American icon at the 1936 Olympics. He won gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, and 4x100 relay. His performance illustrated a powerful resistance to Nazi rulers and earned Owens praise from Adolf Hitler, who greeted Owens after his victory in the long jump. However, Owens experienced first-hand racial discrimination in his home country. He was prohibited from entering many competitions due to the color of his skin and struggled to financially support his family despite his sporting accomplishments. In 1976, Owens was recognized for his career and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Gerald Ford. Owens is survived by his second wife, Ruth, and their three daughters, Marlene, Gloria, and Beverly. He is remembered for his strength and determination, both on and off the track.