# Emmett Till

> African-American lynching victim (1941–1955)

**Wikidata**: [Q506878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q506878)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emmett-till

## Summary
Emmett Till was an African-American boy who was brutally murdered in 1955 at the age of 14 after allegedly whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. His lynching became a symbol of racial injustice in the United States, sparking national outrage and contributing to the civil rights movement.

## Biography
- Born: July 25, 1941, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Attended school in Chicago and later moved to Money, Mississippi
- Known for: Becoming a symbol of racial violence and injustice in the American South
- Employer(s): None (murdered before establishing a career)
- Field(s): None (murdered before pursuing a career)

## Contributions
Emmett Till's life and death had no direct contributions to any field, as he was murdered before he could establish a career. However, his case became a catalyst for the civil rights movement, leading to increased activism and legal challenges against racial violence.

## FAQs
**What happened to Emmett Till?**
Emmett Till was murdered in August 1955 in Money, Mississippi, after allegedly whistling at a white woman. His body was mutilated and publicly displayed, sparking national outrage.

**Why is Emmett Till significant?**
Emmett Till's murder became a symbol of racial injustice in the United States, contributing to the growth of the civil rights movement and increased awareness of lynching and racial violence.

**Where was Emmett Till from?**
Emmett Till was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Money, Mississippi, where he was later murdered.

## Why They Matter
Emmett Till's murder had a profound impact on the civil rights movement, galvanizing activists and lawmakers to address racial violence. His case led to increased media coverage of lynching, which was previously a hidden crime. The discovery of his body and the subsequent trial of his killers brought national attention to the issue of racial injustice in the South. Emmett Till's story remains a powerful symbol of the struggle for equality in the United States.

## Notable For
- Symbol of racial violence and injustice in the American South
- Catalyst for the civil rights movement
- Increased national awareness of lynching and racial violence
- Inspired activism and legal challenges against racial injustice

## Body
### Early Life
Emmett Louis Till was born on July 25, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mamie Till Mobley and Emmett Till Sr. He attended school in Chicago and later moved with his family to Money, Mississippi, where his father worked as a sharecropper. Emmett Till was known for his kindness and good nature, which made him a beloved figure in his community.

### Murder and Aftermath
On August 28, 1955, Emmett Till was visiting relatives in Money, Mississippi, when he allegedly whistled at a white woman named Carolyn Bryant. Bryant's husband, Roy Bryant, and his half-brother, J.W. Milam, kidnapped Till and took him to a field outside of town. There, they brutally murdered him, mutilated his body, and displayed it in a public lynching. The bodies of Till and Bryant were later discovered by a group of black teenagers, who alerted the authorities.

### National Outrage and Legacy
The discovery of Emmett Till's body and the subsequent trial of his killers brought national attention to the issue of racial violence in the South. The case was covered extensively in the media, including a famous photo of Till's mutilated body, which became a symbol of the brutality of racial injustice. Emmett Till's murder contributed to the growth of the civil rights movement and inspired activism against racial violence.

### Impact on Civil Rights
Emmett Till's case led to increased awareness of lynching and racial violence, which was previously a hidden crime. His murder became a rallying cry for civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr., who referenced Till's story in his speeches and writings. The case also led to increased legal challenges against racial injustice, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

### Memorial and Recognition
Emmett Till is remembered through various memorials and tributes, including the Emmett Till Memorial in Chicago and the Emmett Till Freedom Trail in Mississippi. He has been honored with awards and recognition, including the Congressional Gold Medal, which was awarded to his family in 1990. Emmett Till's story continues to be a powerful symbol of the struggle for racial equality in the United States.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. BlackPast.org
4. Catalog of the German National Library
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. GeneaStar
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. BBC Things
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. Quora