John Lewis was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement and a key leader in the fight for racial equality in the United States. Born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama, Lewis was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, which included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Lewis became involved in the civil rights movement as a student, organizing sit-ins and participating in Freedom Rides to protest segregation and racial discrimination. He was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and played a critical role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he was the youngest speaker.

Lewis famously led the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965, a day that became known as "Bloody Sunday" when marchers were brutally attacked by state troopers. His leadership and bravery in the face of violence helped to galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eventually led to the removal of barriers preventing African Americans from voting.

Lewis went on to serve as a U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. He was known as the "conscience of Congress," advocating for social justice, civil rights, and voting rights throughout his career. Lewis received numerous awards and honors for his activism and was regarded as a moral authority and inspirational leader in the ongoing fight for equality and justice for all Americans.