On 25 May 1935, the then 21-year-old Ohio State athlete made history when he set four world records in a 45-minute span during the Big Ten meet at the University of Michigan's Ferry Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This day would be known as the Day of Days as he ran a 9.4 in the 100 yards (tied world record), jumped 8.13m on his lone long jump attempt (world record for 25 years), and won both the 220 yards (20.3) and the 220-yard low hurdles (22.6), with times faster than the previous records for the 200-yard events.

A World Athletics Heritage Plaque will be unveiled at the site to honour one of the sport’s most important performances. Owen’s granddaughter, Marlene Dortch, along with representatives of the Michigan and Ohio State track & field teams will unveil the plaque.

The following year, Owens would make history yet again, as the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad. At the politically charged 1936 Berlin Olympics, he took the 100m, 200m and long jump events, and he and his winning team would also set a new world record in the 4x100m relay of 39.80 seconds.

Owens later became an inspirational speaker, addressing youth groups, sports banquets, PTAs, church brotherhood and black history programs, as well as high school and college commencements and ceremonies. He also worked with underprivileged youth and was a board member and former director of the Chicago Boys’ Club. 

Owens has also been presented with the US Medal of Freedom and the Living Legend Award at The White House.