Jesse Owens

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

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Jesse Owens

Season 24 Episode 7 | 52m 8s | CC

The most famous athlete of his time, his stunning triumph at the 1936 Olympic Games captivated the world even as it infuriated the Nazis. Despite the racial slurs he endured, Jesse Owens' grace and athleticism rallied crowds across the globe. But when the four-time Olympic gold medalist returned home, he could not even ride in the front of a bus.

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For Season 24 of American Experience, exclusive corporate funding is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, major funding by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS stations. Additional funding for Jesse Owens provided by The Documentary Investment Group: Nordblom Family Foundation; Gretchen Stone Cook Foundation and the Yawkey Foundation.

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