Process Paper
Jesse Owens once said “if people forget the [1936] Olympics, they forget what Hitler did there, and they forget me.” Forget, they did not. Jesse Owens made history in the 1936 Berlin Olympics when he became the first African-American man to win four medals for the United States in the track and field competition. Debate arose during the Olympic ceremony, when various newspapers reported that Adolph Hitler snubbed Owens because of his race. Owens, who became a hero among the European crowd, was treated like an outcast upon returning home to the United States, a time in our country where African-Americans faced discrimination. However, over time Owens and his success paved the way for African-American athletes.
Our love for running and our participation in the Jesse Owens Classic in his hometown made us want to find out more about Jesse Owens in an effort to appreciate our run. Through our research, we discovered that, along with his many accomplishments during his running career, Jesse Owens became a household name after the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Our favorite research experience was exploring the Jesse Owens Museum website, which contained many primary sources, such as newspaper articles, pictures, and video clips. Not only did we read about his life and his experience in the 1936 Olympics, but we actually got to see footage of those games and Adolph Hitler in attendance and look at pictures from Owens’ childhood and running career. This website gave us insight into Owens’ humble beginnings in Alabama to his great accomplishments, starting with the Berlin Olympics.
Although we enjoyed the research process, displaying our findings was even more rewarding. We created a website, in which we incorporated not only insightful information but also video clips and pictures, as well. Our website was organized to highlight the life of Jesse Owens, the historical impact of the 1936 competition, and the legacy that he left behind. The quotations that I gathered from primary sources during the research process were very telling of Owens’s character, so I chose to include them on my website.
Our topic of Jesse Owens and the 1936 Berlin Olympics relates to this year’s NHD theme because of the debate that arose from these events- the idea that Adolph Hitler left the Olympic arena and didn’t congratulate Owens or shake his hand during the ceremonies. Arguments can be made that newspaper reporters made this up to gain more press, while some say that Hitler was outraged at the African-American’s success and didn’t want to acknowledge Owens and his accomplishments.
Jesse Owens once said “if people forget the [1936] Olympics, they forget what Hitler did there, and they forget me.” Forget, they did not. Jesse Owens made history in the 1936 Berlin Olympics when he became the first African-American man to win four medals for the United States in the track and field competition. Debate arose during the Olympic ceremony, when various newspapers reported that Adolph Hitler snubbed Owens because of his race. Owens, who became a hero among the European crowd, was treated like an outcast upon returning home to the United States, a time in our country where African-Americans faced discrimination. However, over time Owens and his success paved the way for African-American athletes.
Our love for running and our participation in the Jesse Owens Classic in his hometown made us want to find out more about Jesse Owens in an effort to appreciate our run. Through our research, we discovered that, along with his many accomplishments during his running career, Jesse Owens became a household name after the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Our favorite research experience was exploring the Jesse Owens Museum website, which contained many primary sources, such as newspaper articles, pictures, and video clips. Not only did we read about his life and his experience in the 1936 Olympics, but we actually got to see footage of those games and Adolph Hitler in attendance and look at pictures from Owens’ childhood and running career. This website gave us insight into Owens’ humble beginnings in Alabama to his great accomplishments, starting with the Berlin Olympics.
Although we enjoyed the research process, displaying our findings was even more rewarding. We created a website, in which we incorporated not only insightful information but also video clips and pictures, as well. Our website was organized to highlight the life of Jesse Owens, the historical impact of the 1936 competition, and the legacy that he left behind. The quotations that I gathered from primary sources during the research process were very telling of Owens’s character, so I chose to include them on my website.
Our topic of Jesse Owens and the 1936 Berlin Olympics relates to this year’s NHD theme because of the debate that arose from these events- the idea that Adolph Hitler left the Olympic arena and didn’t congratulate Owens or shake his hand during the ceremonies. Arguments can be made that newspaper reporters made this up to gain more press, while some say that Hitler was outraged at the African-American’s success and didn’t want to acknowledge Owens and his accomplishments.
Primary Sources
“Jesse Owens crosses the finish line.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see the expression on Owens’ face as he crossed the finish line in the 200-meter dash.
“Jesse Owens, Berlin ’36.” Youtube Videos. 30 Aug. 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-OqWQb3oK5AK&feature=fvwrel
This video shows footage of Owens’ competition in the long jump and 200-meter dash. It also shows the crowd cheering him on.
“Jesse Owens Return to Berlin 1936 Olympics.” Youtube Videos 20 Feb. 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa5QQMH-T8E
This video contains actual footage from the Berlin Olympics. It shows the cheering crowd reacting as Owens crosses the finish line.
“Jesse Owens in Berlin.” Youtube Videos. 21 Mar. 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Dy_WOQ_qwku&feature=related
This video contained an interview with Jesse Owens from a visit to Berlin in 1964. In it, Owens talks about his experiences during the 1936 games.
Mickhart, Terry. “Jesse Owens.” The Times Reading 1 Dec. 1970. 18 Jan. 2011.
http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=28
While exploring the Jesse Owens Museum website, we discovered this article, which was an interview between Mr. Mickhart and Jesse Owens. In the article, they discuss the controversy surrounding Hitler and the 1936 Olympics, along with his desire to help underprivileged children.
“The Modern Games-Photograph with Jesse Owens.” World Book, Inc. United States, 1989.
This picture contains a caption that reads, “Jesse Owens of the United States was the hero of the 1936 Summer Olympics. Owens won four gold medals in track and field.
“Owens Competes in the 200-meter dash.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture captures Owens attempt to win the 200-meter dash. It shows him at the starting line.
“Owens and other athletes keep warm between events.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University. http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture shows the interaction between Owens and his competitors. It allows us to see that just because Owens might have faced discrimination in the United States, it didn’t seem to be the case in the German Olympics.
“Owens listens to the U.S. National Anthem as he stands at the winner’s podium.” 1936.
Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/ photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see Owens as he stood on the winners’ podium to accept his medal.
“Owens Sets Two More Olympic Marks” 4 Aug. 1936. 20 Jan. 2011.
http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=24.
We found this online in the resource section of the Jesse Owens Museum. It was pretty cool to find an article that dated back to 1936 and read about the event from the perspective of someone who actually witnessed history.
“Owens speaks with German competitor Lutz Long.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University. http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see Owens socializing with a German competitor.
“Quotations by Jesse Owens.” Jesse Owens Olympic Legend. 20 Jan. 2011. http://www.jesseowens.com/quotes/
This information on the Official Jesse Owens website contained various quotes from Owens over the span of his life.
Gentry, Tony. “Jesse Owens, Champion Athlete.” 2009. 20 Jan. 2011. www.jesseowens.com/quotes
This article gave information about Owens and his Olympic career.
“Jesse Owens.” Biography.com 5 Nov. 2010
http://biography.com/articles/jesse_owens-9431142
This article gave us information on Owens’ childhood in poverty, his college career at Ohio State, his competition in the 1936 Olympics, and his life after the Olympics.
Litsky, Frank. “Jesse Owens Dies of Cancer at 66; Hero of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” New York Times on the Web. 1 Apr. 1980. 29 Oct. 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/Bday/0912.html
This obituary tells the early life, the record gold medal wins during the 1936 Olympics, and life after the games that made Jesse Owens a household name.
Murray, Jim. “Jim Murray Says: Owens Takes Stand Against U.S. Olympic Boycott.” Los Angeles Times Syndicate. 20 Jan. 2011 http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=68
Jim Murray gets Owens’ views on the boycott of the 1980 Los Angeles Olympic games and compares this boycott to the 1936 Olympic games.
Olympic Games- 1936 Berlin, Germany. The New Book of Knowledge. Danbury: Grolier Inc., 1997
This reference source discussed how Hitler tried to make the Olympic games into a “Nazi propaganda” show.
Owens, Jesse. World Book Encyclopedia. U.S., 1989. Volume N-O
This reference described how Adolph Hilter wanted the Germans to win the Olympic games, so that they could be proved superior to all other people.
Schaap, Jeremy. Triumph. The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler Olympics. New York: Houghton Mifflin: Harcourt, 2007
This book was a great source. It highlighted Owens’ athletic success leading up to the Berlin games, the trials and competitions leading up to 1936, and the events surrounding Hitler and theories behind his absence after the first night of awards.
Schwartz, Larry. “Owens pierced a myth.” Espn.com. 2007. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016393.html
This article highlights the 1936 Olympics and Owens’ thoughts about Adolph Hitler and the ceremonies.
“Jesse Owens crosses the finish line.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see the expression on Owens’ face as he crossed the finish line in the 200-meter dash.
“Jesse Owens, Berlin ’36.” Youtube Videos. 30 Aug. 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-OqWQb3oK5AK&feature=fvwrel
This video shows footage of Owens’ competition in the long jump and 200-meter dash. It also shows the crowd cheering him on.
“Jesse Owens Return to Berlin 1936 Olympics.” Youtube Videos 20 Feb. 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa5QQMH-T8E
This video contains actual footage from the Berlin Olympics. It shows the cheering crowd reacting as Owens crosses the finish line.
“Jesse Owens in Berlin.” Youtube Videos. 21 Mar. 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Dy_WOQ_qwku&feature=related
This video contained an interview with Jesse Owens from a visit to Berlin in 1964. In it, Owens talks about his experiences during the 1936 games.
Mickhart, Terry. “Jesse Owens.” The Times Reading 1 Dec. 1970. 18 Jan. 2011.
http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=28
While exploring the Jesse Owens Museum website, we discovered this article, which was an interview between Mr. Mickhart and Jesse Owens. In the article, they discuss the controversy surrounding Hitler and the 1936 Olympics, along with his desire to help underprivileged children.
“The Modern Games-Photograph with Jesse Owens.” World Book, Inc. United States, 1989.
This picture contains a caption that reads, “Jesse Owens of the United States was the hero of the 1936 Summer Olympics. Owens won four gold medals in track and field.
“Owens Competes in the 200-meter dash.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture captures Owens attempt to win the 200-meter dash. It shows him at the starting line.
“Owens and other athletes keep warm between events.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University. http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture shows the interaction between Owens and his competitors. It allows us to see that just because Owens might have faced discrimination in the United States, it didn’t seem to be the case in the German Olympics.
“Owens listens to the U.S. National Anthem as he stands at the winner’s podium.” 1936.
Courtesy of Ohio State University.
http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/ photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see Owens as he stood on the winners’ podium to accept his medal.
“Owens Sets Two More Olympic Marks” 4 Aug. 1936. 20 Jan. 2011.
http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=24.
We found this online in the resource section of the Jesse Owens Museum. It was pretty cool to find an article that dated back to 1936 and read about the event from the perspective of someone who actually witnessed history.
“Owens speaks with German competitor Lutz Long.” 1936. Courtesy of Ohio State University. http://library.osu.edu/projects/jesseowens/photo_galleries_olympics.html
This picture allowed us to see Owens socializing with a German competitor.
“Quotations by Jesse Owens.” Jesse Owens Olympic Legend. 20 Jan. 2011. http://www.jesseowens.com/quotes/
This information on the Official Jesse Owens website contained various quotes from Owens over the span of his life.
Gentry, Tony. “Jesse Owens, Champion Athlete.” 2009. 20 Jan. 2011. www.jesseowens.com/quotes
This article gave information about Owens and his Olympic career.
“Jesse Owens.” Biography.com 5 Nov. 2010
http://biography.com/articles/jesse_owens-9431142
This article gave us information on Owens’ childhood in poverty, his college career at Ohio State, his competition in the 1936 Olympics, and his life after the Olympics.
Litsky, Frank. “Jesse Owens Dies of Cancer at 66; Hero of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” New York Times on the Web. 1 Apr. 1980. 29 Oct. 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/Bday/0912.html
This obituary tells the early life, the record gold medal wins during the 1936 Olympics, and life after the games that made Jesse Owens a household name.
Murray, Jim. “Jim Murray Says: Owens Takes Stand Against U.S. Olympic Boycott.” Los Angeles Times Syndicate. 20 Jan. 2011 http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=68
Jim Murray gets Owens’ views on the boycott of the 1980 Los Angeles Olympic games and compares this boycott to the 1936 Olympic games.
Olympic Games- 1936 Berlin, Germany. The New Book of Knowledge. Danbury: Grolier Inc., 1997
This reference source discussed how Hitler tried to make the Olympic games into a “Nazi propaganda” show.
Owens, Jesse. World Book Encyclopedia. U.S., 1989. Volume N-O
This reference described how Adolph Hilter wanted the Germans to win the Olympic games, so that they could be proved superior to all other people.
Schaap, Jeremy. Triumph. The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler Olympics. New York: Houghton Mifflin: Harcourt, 2007
This book was a great source. It highlighted Owens’ athletic success leading up to the Berlin games, the trials and competitions leading up to 1936, and the events surrounding Hitler and theories behind his absence after the first night of awards.
Schwartz, Larry. “Owens pierced a myth.” Espn.com. 2007. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016393.html
This article highlights the 1936 Olympics and Owens’ thoughts about Adolph Hitler and the ceremonies.
Secondary Sources
Gentry, Tony. “Jesse Owens, Champion Athlete.” 2009. 20 Jan. 2011. www.jesseowens.com/quotes
This article gave information about Owens and his Olympic career.
“Jesse Owens.” Biography.com 5 Nov. 2010 http://biography.com/articles/jesse_owens-9431142
This article gave us information on Owens’ childhood in poverty, his college career at Ohio State, his competition in the 1936 Olympics, and his life after the Olympics.
Litsky, Frank. “Jesse Owens Dies of Cancer at 66; Hero of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” New York Times on the Web. 1 Apr. 1980. 29 Oct. 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/Bday/0912.html
This obituary tells the early life, the record gold medal wins during the 1936 Olympics, and life after the games that made Jesse Owens a household name.
Murray, Jim. “Jim Murray Says: Owens Takes Stand Against U.S. Olympic Boycott.” Los Angeles Times Syndicate. 20 Jan. 2011 http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=resviewDetails&id=68
Jim Murray gets Owens’ views on the boycott of the 1980 Los Angeles Olympic games and compares this boycott to the 1936 Olympic games.
Olympic Games- 1936 Berlin, Germany. The New Book of Knowledge. Danbury: Grolier Inc., 1997
This reference source discussed how Hitler tried to make the Olympic games into a “Nazi propaganda” show.
Owens, Jesse. World Book Encyclopedia. U.S., 1989. Volume N-O
This reference described how Adolph Hitler wanted the Germans to win the Olympic games, so that they could be proved superior to all other people.
Schaap, Jeremy. Triumph. The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler Olympics. New York: HoughtonMifflin:Harcourt, 2007
This book was a great source. It highlighted Owens’ athletic success leading up to the Berlin games, the trials and competitions leading up to 1936, and the events surrounding Hitler and theories behind his absence after the first night of awards.
Schwartz, Larry. “Owens pierced a myth.” Espn.com. 2007. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016393.html
This article highlights the 1936 Olympics and Owens’ thoughts about Adolph Hitler and the ceremonies.
Gentry, Tony. “Jesse Owens, Champion Athlete.” 2009. 20 Jan. 2011. www.jesseowens.com/quotes
This article gave information about Owens and his Olympic career.
“Jesse Owens.” Biography.com 5 Nov. 2010 http://biography.com/articles/jesse_owens-9431142
This article gave us information on Owens’ childhood in poverty, his college career at Ohio State, his competition in the 1936 Olympics, and his life after the Olympics.
Litsky, Frank. “Jesse Owens Dies of Cancer at 66; Hero of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” New York Times on the Web. 1 Apr. 1980. 29 Oct. 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/Bday/0912.html
This obituary tells the early life, the record gold medal wins during the 1936 Olympics, and life after the games that made Jesse Owens a household name.
Murray, Jim. “Jim Murray Says: Owens Takes Stand Against U.S. Olympic Boycott.” Los Angeles Times Syndicate. 20 Jan. 2011 http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=resviewDetails&id=68
Jim Murray gets Owens’ views on the boycott of the 1980 Los Angeles Olympic games and compares this boycott to the 1936 Olympic games.
Olympic Games- 1936 Berlin, Germany. The New Book of Knowledge. Danbury: Grolier Inc., 1997
This reference source discussed how Hitler tried to make the Olympic games into a “Nazi propaganda” show.
Owens, Jesse. World Book Encyclopedia. U.S., 1989. Volume N-O
This reference described how Adolph Hitler wanted the Germans to win the Olympic games, so that they could be proved superior to all other people.
Schaap, Jeremy. Triumph. The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler Olympics. New York: HoughtonMifflin:Harcourt, 2007
This book was a great source. It highlighted Owens’ athletic success leading up to the Berlin games, the trials and competitions leading up to 1936, and the events surrounding Hitler and theories behind his absence after the first night of awards.
Schwartz, Larry. “Owens pierced a myth.” Espn.com. 2007. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016393.html
This article highlights the 1936 Olympics and Owens’ thoughts about Adolph Hitler and the ceremonies.
