Around this time in 1888, American Athlete Jim Thorpe was born
May 25
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 25 of May, repeating indefinitely
Around this time in 1888, American athlete Jim Thorpe was born near Prague, Oklahoma, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation. Competing in the 1912 Olympics, he was the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States. Thorpe was a multi-talented athlete – among other sports he was skilled in track and field, baseball, and football. His gold medals at the Olympics were in pentathlon and decathlon.
Did you know? While presenting him his Olympic Gold Medals, King Gustav V of Sweden congratulated Thorpe, saying: “Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.” Thorpe reportedly replied, “Thanks, king.”
Aside from his well-known athletic accomplishments, Thorpe was also the winner of the 1912 intercollegiate ballroom dancing championship! 💃🕺
Jim Thorpe, 1912
