Did You Know?

Selma: Jackson learned of the birth of his first son while attending the civil rights march in Selma, Ala., in 1965. Elated with the news, he first considered naming his son Selma because of the timing, but then decided otherwise. Jackson and his wife settled on Jesse Jr.

Palestinian supporter: During his presidential campaigns, Jackson was the only candidate to come out in support of a Palestinian homeland.

Statehood senator: In 1990, Jackson was elected U.S. senator for Washington. The symbolic, non-paying position was created as a platform to advocate statehood for the District of Columbia.

Stamp of distinction: The U.S. Postal Service honored Jackson with a pictorial envelope cancellation in 1991. He became only the second living person to receive this honor. The other was astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn.