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John Lewis is born
John Lewis is born in Troy, Alabama, soon going to become one of the greatest figures of justice in American history -
Early Life
Throughout the 1940s and 50s, John Lewis had a happy childhood, though he still needed to work hard. He was always against the unfairness of segregation, being quite disappointed when the Supreme Court case of Brown v. The Board of Education didn't do much to improve his school life. -
Beginning the Fight
In 1957, John Lewis left home to attend The American Baptist Theological Seminary. Over there, he learned of non-violent protests, and began helping to organize sit-ins on segregated lunch tables, something he would soon be arrested for. -
John Lewis joins in on the Freedom Rides
The Freedom Riders he worked with challenged segregated buildings and facilities they ran into at interstate bus terminals. Though often getting arrested for doing so. John Lewis would eventually get arrested himself during his time there. -
Fighting for proper rights
John Lewis is promoted to the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Now, as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement, Lewis assisted in planning the Washington March. During which he delivered a powerful speech, despite being the youngest speaker there. -
Keeping it up
By now, the Civil Rights Act has become law. However, this didn't make it any easier for African Americans to vote in the south. To bring focus to this issue, he and Hosea Williams led a march from Selma to Montgomery. However, when crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the group was attacked by state troopers, and Lewis left with a fractured skull. -
Bloody Sunday
The attacks against the group were recorded and broadcasted throughout the US, proving themselves to be too powerful to be ignored. The day of March 7, 1965 was labeled "Bloody Sunday" and as a result, it sped up the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. -
Achievements throughout the years
He left the SNCC in 1966, absolutely devastated after the deaths of King and Robert Kennedy. Only two years later, Lewis would keep up his work to enfranchise minorities, then, in 1970, he became the director of the Voter Education Project, helping to register millions of minority votes. -
Becoming apart of Congress
Lewis ran for office in 1981, winning himself a seat on the Atlanta City Council. However, something big happened in 1986. Lewis had been elected for the House of Representatives! He soon made a name for himself there, growing to be one of Congress's most respected members. -
Working for a better world
In 2016, during the mass shootings in Orlando, Florida, Lewis led a sit-in comprised of 40 house-democrats on the House of Representatives, demanding that Congress address the issue of gun violence. There was a protest just days later, which soon prompted Congress to add restrictions on gun purchases. -
Death
In December 2019, John Lewis was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. He had intended to return to his work as soon as possible, hoping that medical science had created a treatment for this. He passed away on July 17, 2020. -
Legacy
John Lewis would have to be one of the most influential figures in US history, he had done so much for the betterment of our country, working for a better world day and night. He'd soon inspire millions of a younger generation to fight for a better world, even if it hurts you in the process.