The Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at age 84. How Michigan helped him make history

TheRev.JesseJackson—whodiedTuesdayatage84—hadalong,storiedhistorywithMichigan,whichhelpedcatapultthecivilrightsactivistintothenationalpoliticalspotlightafteranupsetvictoryinthestate’sDemocraticpresidentialcaucusesin1988. JacksonwashospitalizedonNov.12followingalengthybattlewiththeprogressiveneuromusculardiseaseprogressivesupranuclearpalsy,aconditionsimilartoParkinson’sdisease. “HediedpeacefullyonTuesdaymorning,surroundedbyhisfamily,”Jackson’sChicago-basedRainbowPUSHCoalitionsaidinastatementonInstagram.“Atirelesschangeagent,heelevatedthevoicesofthevoiceless—fromhispresidentialcampaignsinthe1980stomobilizingmillionstoregistertovote—leavinganindeliblemarkonhistory.” JacksonneverwontheDemocraticParty’snomination,butremainedaninfluentialvoiceforAfricanAmericansafterwinningtheMichiganpresidentialcaucus