Medgar Wiley Evers (1925–1963) was a civil rights activist and the first field secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi. A World War II veteran, he fought against racial segregation, voter suppression, and discrimination in the South. Born in Decatur, Mississippi, Evers served in the U.S. Army before earning a degree from Alcorn State University. He became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, working to desegregate the University of Mississippi and expand voting rights for Black Americans. His activism made him a target, and on June 12, 1963, he was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi, by Byron De La Beckwith, a member of the White Citizens’ Council.
Evers’ murder galvanized the movement, inspiring protests and legal reforms. His widow, Myrlie Evers, continued his work, later serving as chair of the NAACP. In 1994, De La Beckwith was finally convicted after decades of failed trials. His legacy endures through the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and numerous tributes honoring his contributions to civil rights