Jim Thorpe was born in 1887 in what is today Oklahoma. When he was growing up, he was always on the move. At 3 years old, he hunted, swam, and rode horses. He loved being outside!
Thorpe was a citizen of the Sac and Fox Nation. His parents gave him a Native American name. They called him Wa-Tho-Huk. That means bright path.
Later he would use his skills to rise to the top of the sports world—and set a bright example for others.