Unveiling the Life and Legacy of John Lewis: 10 Facts You Need to Know
John Lewis was a towering figure in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. He was a tireless advocate for justice, equality, and human rights throughout his life. He was also a member of the US Congress for over three decades. In this article, we take a closer look at the life and legacy of John Lewis and explore 10 facts that you need to know.
Early Life and Education
John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama. He was the third of 10 children. Growing up, Lewis was deeply influenced by the preaching of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Montgomery bus boycott. He attended segregated schools and later enrolled at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, where he became involved in the civil rights movement.
The Nashville Sit-Ins
In 1960, John Lewis became one of the leaders of the Nashville sit-ins, a nonviolent protest against segregation in downtown Nashville. He and other activists were beaten, arrested, and jailed for their actions, but the protests eventually led to the desegregation of lunch counters in Nashville.
The Freedom Rides
In 1961, John Lewis was one of the organizers of the Freedom Rides, a series of protests against segregation on interstate buses. Lewis and other activists were attacked by white mobs in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama, and several were injured. The Freedom Rides helped to draw national attention to the issue of segregation and led to the desegregation of bus terminals.
The March on Washington
In 1963, John Lewis helped to organize the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He was one of the speakers at the event, delivering his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The march drew over 250,000 people to Washington, D.C., and is credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Bloody Sunday
In 1965, John Lewis led a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to protest against voter discrimination. The march was met with violence from state troopers, who beat Lewis and other activists with clubs and tear gas. The event became known as “Bloody Sunday” and helped to galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Political Career
After leaving the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1966, John Lewis turned his attention to politics. He was elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1981 and served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in 2020. Lewis was known for his progressive politics and his willingness to speak out against injustice and inequality.
Civil Rights Icon
John Lewis was widely regarded as a civil rights icon and a hero of the movement. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his life, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Lewis was also the subject of the acclaimed graphic novel trilogy “March,” which chronicled his life and activism.
Personal Life
John Lewis was married to Lillian Miles from 1968 until her death in 2012. He had one son, John-Miles Lewis. Lewis was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2019 and died on July 17, 2020, at the age of 80.
Legacy
John Lewis left an enduring legacy of courage, commitment, and compassion. His life and work continue to inspire people around the world to fight for justice, equality, and human rights. As Lewis himself once said: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”
