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Civil Rights Activists
Medgar Evers is known for his endless contributions to the black civil rights movement. When he was only in his late 20's, he was excepted into the NAACP and became a full time chapter organizer. While only in his early 30's Medgar was named state field secretary for the NAACP. Becoming known as one of the most vocal members, he filled his days with economic boycotts, meetings, marches, prayer vigils, and picket lines. On the night of June 12, 1963 while getting out of his car Medgar was shot in the back, by Byron de la Beckwith. He died 50 minutes at a local hospital. After his death his family received the Spingarn medal for his efforts and devotion. His murder pushed President John F. Kennedy to push for a civil rights bill that would ban segregation. This pushed Martin Luther King Jr. and 250,000 people to march to Washington D.C. where Martin Luther gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Although he died at age 37, he was one of the most renown civil rights activists in the U.S. After his death, mottos, songs, and movies were made about his life and death. All these things show that Medgar Evers was one of the most devoted leaders of all time.