In 1968, Jackson witnessed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., while standing with him on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. CBS News Chicago spoke with him 50 years later about his memories of that history-changing day.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a pivotal civil rights leader who fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and ran for president, has died at 84.

Eulogies are pouring in after the death of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. The protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades was 84.

OBITUARY: The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, has passed away at the age of 84. Ariana Baio looks back on his inspirational life

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday at age 84, helped push for widespread usage of the term “African American” as a way to reclaim cultural identity.

Jackson would go on to become an American civil and human rights icon; an influential politician and presidential candidate; a diplomat and negotiator on behalf of international political hostages; and a tireless advocate for voting rights, police reform and economic equality. He died on February 17 at 84.

Did Rev. Jesse Jackson die? What we know on civil rights activist icon's death, work with Martin Luther King Jr., the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and more.

Jackson was touted as “King’s successor” after the civil rights icon was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, where the two had just reconciled.

Jesse Jackson was a pioneering politician who twice, unsuccessfully, ran for the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988. In 1983, Jackson became only the second African American to launch a nationwide campaign for president as a Democrat.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, has died at 84. Mississippi leaders share their reactions.

Civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson was keynote speaker at the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration.