Cornelius Cooper Johnson (August 28, 1913 - February 15, 1946) was an African-American athlete in the high jump. August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Gold medal winner Ethel Catherwood of Canada scissors over the bar at the 1928 Summer Olympics. ...

Born in Los Angeles in 1913, Cornelius ("Corny") Johnson first competed in organized track and field events at Berendo Junior High School. He achieved greater athletic success as a student at Los Angeles High School, competing in the sprint and in the high jump.

At the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932, Cornelius Johnson, who was then an 18 year old high school student, placed fourth in the high jump under the existing tiebreaker rules. Had the current rules been in force, Johnson would have won the silver medal.

In 1936 Johnson was one of 19 African Americans at the Berlin Olympics, where he won the gold. Johnson's winning height of 2.06m was an Olympic record and he tried unsuccesfully for the world record. 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or black Americans, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Sub-Saharan and West Africa. ...

Ironically, it was Johnson - and not Jesse Owens - who was snubbed by Adolf Hitler at the Berlin Games. On the day of Johnson's triumph, Hitler had congratulated the winners of the day's first two events, a German and a Finn. But before Johnson and silver medalist Dave Albritton (another African American), went to the podium, the Nazi leader left the arena. Jesse Owens 1936 Berlin Olympics James Cleveland Jesse Owens (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980) was an African-American athlete and civic leader. ... Hitler redirects here. ... African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or black Americans, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Sub-Saharan and West Africa. ...

Johnson was the co-holder of the world record for the high jump for the year 1936-37 and won eight career U.S. titles (five outdoor, three indoor). 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

After retiring from the high jump, he became a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Los Angeles, and in 1945 he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine.

In 1946, while working as a ship's baker on board the Grace Line's "Santa Cruz," Johnson developed bronchial pneumonia. Enroute from the ship to a California hospital, Corny Johnson died, aged only 32. 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

Cornelius Johnson was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1994. USA Track and Field is the authority on track and field events within the United States. ...