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"path": "/news/2023/7/14/23795443/rev-jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-retirement-timeline-life-events",
"publishedAt": "2026-02-17T16:15:00.000Z",
"site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
"textContent": "<p>The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s work and activism spanned decades, from joining the front lines of the civil rights movement to helping negotiate the release of U.S. prisoners abroad.</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2026/02/17/rev-jesse-jackson-civil-rights-leader-rainbow-push-obituary\" target=\"_blank\" >Jackson died Tuesday</a> at 84 years old. His health had been in decline for several years. <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/11/17/18375473/rev-jesse-jackson-announces-parkinson-s-diagnosis\" target=\"_blank\" >He announced in 2017</a> he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years earlier. But last year his family shared that it was actually misdiagnosed progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition also affecting bodily movements.</p><p>The civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/7/14/23794835/rev-jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-president-stepping-down\" target=\"_blank\" >stepped down in 2023 as president</a> of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a merger of two organizations he founded and whose national headquarters is at 930 E. 50th.</p><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2026/02/17/rev-jesse-jackson-civil-rights-leader-rainbow-push-obituary\" target=\"_blank\" >Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and Chicago icon, dead at 84</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p></p><p>Here’s some of the many highlights from Jackson’s decades-long career in civil rights, social justice, politics and humanitarian work:</p><h3>1941 </h3><p>Jesse Louis Burns is born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina. He takes the last name of his stepfather in 1957. </p><h3>1959-60</h3><p>Jackson attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He later transfers to North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College.</p><h3>1963 </h3><p>During the summer of 1963, Jackson becomes one of “Greenville Eight,” a group of Black students protesting at the whites-only public library in Greenville. </p><p>When they refuse to leave after being asked, the group is arrested for “disorderly conduct.” </p><h3>1964</h3><p>After graduating from North Carolina A&T, he enrolls in Chicago Theological Seminary, but leaves school before acquiring a degree.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-380002\" name=\"image-variant-380002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e84e23/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c790655/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1ab3fb7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Jesse Jackson (far right) joins Al Raby, the Rev. Martin Luther King and Ed Berry at the Civil Rights Summit meeting in Chicago in 1966.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1ab3fb7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d49f75/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1ab3fb7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100x1179+0+190/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FMVmgxlxz_dJFftwT3serScMg1MM%3D%2F0x0%3A2100x1558%2F2100x1558%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281050x779%3A1051x780%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789534%2F1967D.JPG.C0132.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Jesse Jackson (far right) joins Al Raby, the Rev. Martin Luther King and Ed Berry at the Civil Rights Summit in Chicago in 1966.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Sun-Times file photo</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1965</h3><p>Jackson goes to Selma, Alabama, to march with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. after “Bloody Sunday,” when Alabama Highway Patrol troopers attacked civil rights demonstrators outside Selma. </p><p>Soon after, he starts working for King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-400002\" name=\"image-variant-400002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c886364/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3117b00/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27246e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sitting with James Bevel, Jesse Jackson, Al Raby, and others at Greater Mount Hope Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago, Aug. 18, 1966.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27246e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a4b2fd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27246e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+120/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FGqCQcDVn8C5sYeskTMQMFH5Hpms%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x814%2F1024x814%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x407%3A513x408%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789569%2FJackson1966.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sitting in August 1966 with James Bevel, Jesse Jackson, Al Raby, and others at Greater Mount Hope Baptist Church in Chicago.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Sun-Times file photo</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1966</h3><p>Jackson becomes the head of the Chicago chapter of the Leadership Conference’s Operation Breadbasket, a national effort dedicated to improving employment opportunities for Black Americans by opposing discriminatory hiring practices. </p><p>Jackson was also among the leaders of King’s open housing marches in Chicago that year.</p><h3>1967</h3><p>Jackson becomes national director of Operation Breadbasket, serving from 1967 to 1971. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-480002\" name=\"image-variant-480002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4001c2f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/553425c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b74c1c2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stands with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968, a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place. From left are Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, King, and Ralph Abernathy.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b74c1c2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9e29910/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b74c1c2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1347+0+249/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FWx1VGGejWevOTOieWopKJVSNGbM%3D%2F0x0%3A2400x1844%2F2400x1844%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281200x922%3A1201x923%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789532%2FMLK_JJ.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stands with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968, a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place. From left are Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, King, and Ralph Abernathy.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Associated Press</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1968</h3><p>Jackson is in Memphis, Tennessee, with King when the civil rights leader is assassinated on April 4, 1968. King had gone to Memphis to support striking garbage workers. </p><p>Later that year, Jackson becomes an ordained Baptist minister.</p><h3>1971</h3><p>Jackson resigns from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and forms Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity, later changed to “serve” humanity.) in Chicago. </p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.rainbowpush.org/rev-jesse-jackson-bio\" target=\"_blank\" >The goals of Operation PUSH</a> were economic empowerment and expanding educational, business and employment opportunities for the disadvantaged and people of color. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-500002\" name=\"image-variant-500002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c6cf3e6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2018195/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/20af918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to a crowd outside Chicago Police Department headquarters on Aug. 27, 1977.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/20af918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/285e95b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/20af918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F_VbWx3M9xCjzWyxfhPmGoH7dpzw%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789548%2FJesseJackson1977_2.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to a crowd outside Chicago Police Department headquarters in August 1977 protesting a racist comment by a Chicago police officer.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Jim Frost/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1972</h3><p>During the Democratic convention in Miami, Jackson and Chicago Ald. William Singer unseats Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley’s delegate slate. </p><h3>1975</h3><p>Jackson founds Push Excel (for Excellence Inc.) to support students striving for excellence in education while also assisting them with job placement. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-570002\" name=\"image-variant-570002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/479f90d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b42ad29/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fad8e73/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the funeral and burial of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad in Chicago.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fad8e73/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/316584b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fad8e73/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F5GT5ap5Vh7I5L8wbpoB1XI99qu4%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789570%2FJesseJackson1975.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the funeral and burial of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad in Chicago in February 1975. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Randy B. Leffingwell/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1983</h3><p>Jackson enters the race for the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination.</p><p>He eventually collects more than 3 million votes during the primaries, finishing third in the race for the nomination behind Sen. Gary Hart and former Vice President Walter Mondale, who becomes the nominee.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-5f0001\" name=\"image-variant-5f0001\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/654d74b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d94eb92/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d11055/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Jesse Jackson receives a gift from Mayor Harold Washington after returning to Chicago from freeing a captured Navy airman from Syria, Jan. 10, 1984.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d11055/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ce3dba7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d11055/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+53/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FgMYfz0Y5BqluLoZ76Yzuj2c7tZ8%3D%2F0x0%3A1024x679%2F1024x679%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28512x340%3A513x341%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789555%2FJackson1984_1.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Jesse Jackson receives a commemorative gift from Mayor Harold Washington in January 1984 after returning to Chicago from freeing a captured Navy airman from Syria. Jackson was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination at the time.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Sun-Times file photo</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1984</h3><p>Jackson <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGJ7btYJPPA\" target=\"_blank\" >delivers one of his most famous speeches</a> during the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. He bellowed, \"Young America, dream.\"</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" data-embed> <iframe width=\"200\" height=\"113\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/87wCfG0-cIc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen title=\"Convention Speeches in History: Jesse Jackson at the 1984 DNC\"></iframe> </div> </div></div><p>Jackson founds the National Rainbow Coalition, which grew out of his presidential campaign that year. The organization sought civil rights and equal employment and education opportunities for Black people, women and the LGBTQ community.</p><h3>1988</h3><p>Jackson runs for president again. He wins the Michigan primary, but Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis eventually wins the nomination.</p><h3>1991</h3><p>After meeting with Saddam Hussein, Jackson helps negotiate the release of foreign nationals being held in Kuwait. </p><h3>1996</h3><p>Jackson returns to to Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition and merges the two groups.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-670002\" name=\"image-variant-670002\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/619a552/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8fa2c4b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62081c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton confer at the 2001 PUSH annual convention in Chicago.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62081c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/815d4c0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62081c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1878x1054+0+271/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FdlJJprtcPN-NHMBs9gQsczvSDpM%3D%2F0x0%3A1878x1596%2F1878x1596%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28939x798%3A940x799%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789547%2FJESSE_JACKSON.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton confer at the 2001 PUSH annual convention in Chicago.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Associated Press</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>1997</h3><p>President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright appointed Jackson as the special envoy of the president and secretary of state for the promotion of democracy in Africa.</p><h3>1999</h3><p>During the Kosovo War, Jackson goes to Yugoslavia to negotiate the release of three U.S. prisoners of war serving in a peacekeeper unit. The solders had been captured on the Macedonian border. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-6f0001\" name=\"image-variant-6f0001\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d58e6e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb2ee7d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b834708/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"U.S. Rev. Jesse Jackson, second from right, holds hands with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, second from left, and Yugoslav Minister of Foreign Affairs Zivadin Jovanovic, left, and U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., right, during a prayer led by Jackson in Belgrade Saturday, May 1, 1999. Milosevic agreed Saturday to release three American soldiers captured last month, the state-run Tanjug news agency said. Tanjug said the three would be handed over to Jackson as part of his ``peace effort.’'\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b834708/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5a5dd45/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b834708/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1530x859+0+99/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FLZfDUd_6Wwsf43aTpsb1ZH3a6mE%3D%2F0x0%3A1530x1055%2F1530x1055%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28765x528%3A766x529%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789552%2FYUGOSLAVIA_KOSOVO_JACKSON.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Rev. Jesse Jackson (second from right) leads a prayer with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic (second from left), Yugoslav Minister of Foreign Affairs Zivadin Jovanovic (left) and U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill. in Belgrade on May 1, 1999.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>John H. White/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>2000</h3><p>President Bill Clinton awards Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor. </p><h3>2012</h3><p>Jackson appeals for the release of two Americans serving prison sentences for treason in Gambia.</p><h3>2017 </h3><p>Jackson announces he was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/11/17/18375473/rev-jesse-jackson-announces-parkinson-s-diagnosis\" target=\"_blank\" >diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease</a>. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-variant-770001\" name=\"image-variant-770001\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3e54d8c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2c185a8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed2399a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Rev. Jesse Jackson is injected with the COVID-19 vaccine in the Roseland Community Hospital’s parking lot in January 2021.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed2399a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/acf1fa8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed2399a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2048+0+193/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F59t65VWhbuQsUejgiuAVVmQyRcY%3D%2F0x0%3A3649x2433%2F3649x2433%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281825x1217%3A1826x1218%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24789545%2FCHRON_01XX21_11.JPG\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Physician Kiran Chekka injects Rev. Jesse Jackson with the COVID-19 vaccine in the Roseland Community Hospital’s parking lot on Jan. 8, 2021.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>2021 </h3><p>Jackson is publicly vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccine in an effort <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2021/1/8/22221102/coronavirus-covid-vaccine-moderna-kizzmekia-corbett-jesse-jackson-distrust-black-community\" target=\"_blank\" >to help build Black community trust</a> in the vaccine. </p><h3>2023 </h3><p>Jackson <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/7/14/23794835/rev-jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-president-stepping-down\" target=\"_blank\" >steps down as president</a> of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.</p><h3>2025</h3><p>Jackson's family shares he was misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition also affecting bodily movements. He was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11/12/jesse-jackson-sr-hospitalized-progressive-supranuclear-palsy\" target=\"_blank\" >hospitalized in the ICU</a> in November. </p><p><i>Editor's note: This story was originally published July 14, 2023.</i></p>",
"title": "Timeline of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s decades of civil rights activism, political efforts",
"updatedAt": "2026-02-17T17:00:48.944Z"
}