Who is John Lewis?
Born in 1940, John Lewis is the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most famous figures in American history.
He is well-known for his civil rights activism and has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Get to know more about him better by reading this blog!
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John Lewis is an American civil rights activist and politician who has been a prominent figure in the United States since the 1960s.
He served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020 and was a civil rights movement leader.
Lewis is best known for his work as a civil rights movement leader, including his role in the Selma to Montgomery marches and his work on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
He is also known for his work on voting rights and his advocacy for the rights of people of color.
Why is John Lewis famous?
John Lewis is one of the most celebrated civil rights activists.
He participated in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, and was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966.
In 1965, he led the first of three Selma to Montgomery marches, which helped to end legalized racial segregation in the United States.
Lewis was a member of the Democratic Party and was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. He served there for 17 terms until his death in 2020.
Lewis was a leader of the Democratic Party in the House, serving as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 1991 to 2003.
He also received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
John Lewis will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through.
John Lewis and Lillian Miles' Love Story
John Lewis' wife, Lillian Miles, was integral to his life.
They met at a New Year's Eve party hosted by Xernona Clayton and married in 1968. The couple adopted a son, John-Miles Lewis.
Their love story began when the two were set up by Xernora Clayton. John was with Dr. King, and there she met Lillian Miles. However, Lillian doesn't like John at first.
Then, Xernora set them up again for the New Year's Eve party by inviting only the two of them.
After that, John and Lillian started dating. Xernora's next plan was to have them get married, and eventually, the couple tied the knot in 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Of course, when John and Lillian had their son, John-Miles, Xernora was his godmother.
Unfortunately, in 2012, Lillian Miles passed away at the age of 76.
Below are some of John Lewis and Lillian Miles' photos.
John Lewis' Death
In December 2019, John announced that he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The 80-year-old remained in the Washington D.C. area for his treatment and was surrounded by loved ones during this time.
The civil rights icon died on July 17, 2020, at the age of 80, after fighting a battle with cancer for 8 months.
In response to his death, President Trump ordered flags be flown half-staff in honor of Lewis' death as per U.S. tradition when one dies in office or during an active term.
There were also condolences from leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, among many others who remembered his legacy, fondly praising him for his immense contributions.
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