Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime U.S. civil rights leader, two-time
presidential candidate and African American icon has died aged 84

Oct 8, 1941:
Born Jesse Louis
Burns in Greenville,
South Carolina

1957: Formally
adopted by his
stepfather, Charles
Jackson, taking
his surname

1960: Takes part
in his first major
sit-in as one of
ÒGreenville EightÓ
at whites-only
public library

1964: Graduates from North
Carolina A&T and enrolls in Chicago
Theological Seminary

1965: Joins Selma to
Montgomery marches.
Meets Dr Martin Luther
King Jr. (inset) and joins
Southern Christian
Leadership Conference
(SCLC) staff

1966: Appointed by King to
lead Operation Breadbasket in
Chicago, focused on economic
empowerment for Black communities

1968: Witnesses assassination of
King in Memphis on Apr 4. Ordained
as Baptist minister later that year

1971: Resigns from SCLC to found
Operation PUSH (People United to
Save Humanity) in Chicago

1984: Makes
first presidential bid,
advocating for
Òrainbow coalitionÓ
of voters

Negotiates for
release of U.S. pilot
Robert Goodman
from Syria

1988: Loses
Democratic primary
to Michael Dukakis.
Delivers famous
ÒKeep Hope AliveÓ
speech at DNC

1990: Secures release of Western
hostages held in Iraq

1991-97: Serves as
ÒShadow SenatorÓ for
District of Columbia

1996: Merges his
projects into Rainbow
PUSH Coalition

1999: Negotiates
release of three U.S.
POWs held in Yugoslavia

2000: Awarded Presidential Medal
of Freedom by Bill Clinton

2017: Diagnosed with ParkinsonÕs
disease, later identified as
progressive supranuclear palsy

2023: Steps down as president
of Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Feb 17, 2026: Dies aged 84

Sources: ABC News, AP, BBC
Pictures: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS