Civil rights activist and politician
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Key moments and achievements from Jesse Jackson's life.
Jesse was born
· Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Civil Rights Leadership
Jackson joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and became director of its economic arm, Operation Breadbasket. He marched with King at Selma in 1965 to demand Black voting rights and was present at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when King was assassinated in 1968.
Civil Rights Leadership
Jackson joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and became director of its economic arm, Operation Breadbasket. He marched with King at Selma in 1965 to demand Black voting rights and was present at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when King was assassinated in 1968.
Founded Organization
After resigning from the SCLC in 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, an organization aimed at promoting Black economic empowerment and civil rights. The organization became a powerful force for social justice and community development on Chicago's South Side.
Founded Organization
After resigning from the SCLC in 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, an organization aimed at promoting Black economic empowerment and civil rights. The organization became a powerful force for social justice and community development on Chicago's South Side.
Presidential Campaign
In 1984, Jackson became only the second Black candidate to seek a major-party presidential nomination, winning five primary contests and earning 3.2 million votes. He founded the National Rainbow Coalition to champion a diverse coalition of African Americans, whites, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans united by common progressive goals.
Presidential Campaign
In 1984, Jackson became only the second Black candidate to seek a major-party presidential nomination, winning five primary contests and earning 3.2 million votes. He founded the National Rainbow Coalition to champion a diverse coalition of African Americans, whites, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans united by common progressive goals.
Presidential Campaign
Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign was even more successful than 1984, winning nearly 7 million votes and multiple primary and caucus contests. He finished second in the Democratic primaries to Michael Dukakis, mounting the most successful campaign by a Black candidate for a major-party presidential nomination in U.S. history at that time.
Presidential Campaign
Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign was even more successful than 1984, winning nearly 7 million votes and multiple primary and caucus contests. He finished second in the Democratic primaries to Michael Dukakis, mounting the most successful campaign by a Black candidate for a major-party presidential nomination in U.S. history at that time.
Organizational Leadership
In 1996, Jackson merged Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit organization pursuing social justice, civil rights, and political activism. The organization became one of the most influential civil rights organizations in the United States under Jackson's continued leadership.
Organizational Leadership
In 1996, Jackson merged Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit organization pursuing social justice, civil rights, and political activism. The organization became one of the most influential civil rights organizations in the United States under Jackson's continued leadership.
Jesse Jackson passed away
