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A legendary pugilist who earned the nickname the "Brown Bomber" for the devastating blows he would deliver in the ring, Joe Louis was not only America's first true crossover athlete, but an inspirational example of the American Dream come true. Born Joseph Louis Barrow on May 12, 1914, the LaFayette, Alabama native earned fans from all races and backgrounds thanks to his legendary athleticism while showing just what heights a person of color could soar to if given the opportunity. From the Great Depression to the 1950s, he inspired his fellow Americans to never give up on their dreams, even becoming a national symbol of victory over Nazi Germany by defeating German boxer Max Schmeling in 1938.