John Robert Lewis, born on this day in 1940, was an American politician and civil rights leader. He was the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district, having served since 1987. His district included the northern three-fourths of Atlanta.

Lewis played a key role in the civil rights movement as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and as one of the "Big Six" leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He was also one of the first thirteen Freedom Riders, repeatedly beaten and jailed for his activism.

"When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something."

- John Lewis