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Emmett Till
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Emmett Till, undated photograph
Emmett Till, undated photograph

Emmett Till

American murder victim
Also known as: Emmett Louis Till
Written by
Michael Ray
Michael Ray is an assistant managing editor who has worked at Britannica since 2003. In addition to leading the Geography and History team, he oversees coverage of European history and military affairs....
Michael Ray
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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•History

Emmett Till (born July 25, 1941, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.—died August 28, 1955, Money, Mississippi) was an African American teenager whose murder catalyzed the emerging civil rights movement. Till was born to working-class parents on the South Side of Chicago. When he was barely 14 years old, Till took a trip to rural Mississippi to spend the summer with relatives. His mother, Mamie Till, knew Emmett to be a jokester accustomed to being the centre of...

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