Black History Month @ Broadford Primary

This month we are celebrating Black History Month. Each class has got a significant person to research and learn about. The first class to present their findings were Maple. Jesse Owens had been their choice.

Jesse Owens
Did you know that his real name is James Cleveland Owens? He is only called Jesse because his teacher misheard his name during the register. He said his name was J C Owens... and the nickname Jesse just stuck.

His career in athletics started in High School where he quickly began to break records. However he will always be remembered for his amazing achievements in the Berlin Olympics 1936. Against the back drop of the rise of the Nazi party, Jesse proved that African Americans where more than a match for Hitler's athletes. Sadly Hitler refused to shake his hand during the medal ceremony.

Jesse was honored by the Olympic Order for his part in the fight against racism in 1976. Sadly he contracted cancer and died in 1980.

By Dara Adu and Jordan Crane