The Summer Olympics of 1936 in Berlin was cloaked as an opportunity for Adolf Hitler to spread the ideals of Nazi Germany and showcase Aryan supremacy, but the Reich Chancellor couldn’t have anticipated an African-American stealing the show.
That’s exactly what track-and-field athlete Jesse Owens did, famously claiming four gold medals in Berlin with wins in the 100 metres, 200 metres, long jump and 4 x 100 metres relay.
His fourth and final gold came on this day when he, along with Ralph Metcalfe, Frank Wykoff and Foy Draper set a world record of 39.8 seconds in the relay. Owens’ performance wasn’t just a victory for the United States, but a rallying cry against oppression.
Here’s some other memorable events to have happened on this day:
1984: British decathlete Daley Thompson sets world record of 8,847 points to retain Olympic title in Los Angeles.
2007: England spinner Ashley Giles, who was part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, retired from cricket.
2010: Martin O’Neill resigned as Aston Villa manager.
2012: Britain’s Nicola Adams becomes first woman boxing champion in Olympic history after taking gold in the the women’s flyweight division.
