Cassius Marcellus Clay, later Muhammad Ali, is born in Louisville, Kentucky.
At a Glance
- Date
- 17 January 1942
- Location
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Key people
- Muhammad Ali
- Category
- Sports
- Source
- Biographical records · Britannica
What It Meant Then
He became heavyweight champion and a defining figure of athlete-activism.
What It Means Now
Ali's stand against the Vietnam War made him a global icon of conscience.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Muhammad Ali Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/muhammad-ali-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Muhammad Ali Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/muhammad-ali-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Muhammad Ali Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/muhammad-ali-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.