Legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, passed away on June 3, 2016 at the age of 74.

Ali, born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, KY, discovered his lethal hand game at 12-years-old. His talent in the boxing ring grew, eventually earning him a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 1960. Ali’s strength and arrogance were instrumental in his evolution to become “the greatest of all time.” Although boxing was the main cause of his stardom, Ali was also recognized for his activism and philanthropy efforts.

In 1984, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The illness, however, helped Ali and others deal with the disease in a profound way. After announcing that he had this disease, Ali founded the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the years, Ali’s charity efforts has raised and donated millions of dollars to various causes, which have included Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics and others. One unforgettable moment was when Ali carried the torch and lit the Olympic cauldron at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.

According to Biography.com,

Ali traveled to numerous countries, including Mexico and Morocco, to help out those in need. In 1998, he was chosen to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace because of his work in developing nations.

In 2005, Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush. He also opened the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, that same year. “I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given,” he said. “Many fans wanted to build a museum to acknowledge my achievements. I wanted more than a building to house my memorabilia. I wanted a place that would inspire people to be the best that they could be at whatever they chose to do, and to encourage them to be respectful of one another.”

Despite the progression of Parkinson’s and the onset of spinal stenosis, Ali remained active in public life. He was on hand to celebrate the inauguration of the first African-American president in January 2009, when Barack Obamawas sworn into office. Soon after the inauguration, Ali received the President’s Award from the NAACP for his public service efforts.

Ali will remain a hero to millions of people across the globe, young and old. His legacy as “the greatest” will live on and is an undeniable gift to American history.

 

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