There are plenty of photos of historical events that we all know. The aerial shot after Muhammad Ali knocked out Cleveland Williams; children running away from their burning village during a napalm attack in the Vietnam War; The Beatles walking across Abbey Road; Albert Einstein pulling tongues.

And then there's African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos' act of solidarity during the 1968 Olympics. It's a picture that has recently gone viral again, with the focus not being on Smith and Carlos, but instead the third man in the photo.

During the medal ceremony for the 200-metre race, which Smith achieved gold and Carlos bronze, they both raised a fist during 'The Star-Spangled Banner', which was seen as a 'Black Power salute', however Smith later described it as 'a cry for freedom and for human rights'.

Many of us know this famous picture of Tommie Smith and John Carlos. But few know the bravery and tragedy of the white guy, Peter Norman. pic.twitter.com/A96hzYtdvI

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

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The third man was Peter Norman, who won silver in the race. Many people pass off Norman as 'the other guy' in the picture, but he had a silent gesture which makes his role in it all the more important.

When he learned that his competitors would be protesting for equality and justice during the ceremony, he gave them a pair of black gloves, with each of them wearing one on the fist they raised.

Norman stood by, but did not raise his fist, instead wearing an Olympic badge for justice and equality instead. Because of his solidarity, Australia would not allow him to participate in the Olympics, despite achieving their national record time in the race.

His bravery to stand by his fellow athletes caused great trouble for him in his homeland, as he became an 'outsider', struggling to find work.

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He came second in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

When he found out that Smith and Carlos were going to protest for equality, justice, he gave them the black gloves they wore.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

He did not lift his fist but wore an Olympic badge for justice and equality instead. It was his show solidarity.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

Australia would not allow back to participate in the Olympics because he had stood in solidarity with Smith and Carlos.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

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Meanwhile in Australia he was treated as an outsider. He couldn't find work and eventually got a job as a gym teacher in a school.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

He continued to fight inequality in his country, speaking against the treatment of aboriginals and also worked as a butcher.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

John Carlos said, "If we were getting beat up, Peter was fighting an entire country and suffering alone."

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

He could have prevented his suffering because he had been invited to condemn Smith and Carlos in exchange he would no longer be ostrocised.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

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He would have been pardoned and been part of the organizing committee of the 2000 Australian Olympic Games. He refused.

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

Finally in 2012, six years after his passing, the Australian parliament offered Peter Norman an apology,

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

"(3) apologises to Peter Norman for the wrong done by Australia in failing to send him to the 1972 Olympics, despite repeatedly qualifying;

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

(4) belatedly recognises the powerful role that Peter Norman played in furthering racial equality."

- Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) October 15, 2017

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Norman has written about the event in his autobiography Silent Gesture, but remains modest about his actions.

Rather than be known as the man that did this or that, he happily remained unrecognised simply because he knew he was standing for what was right.

In 2005, artist Rigo 23 (Ricardo Gouveia) created a statue of Smith and Carlos' salute for San Jose State University, but Norman requested his space on the podium be left empty, so that people could pose next to the two African-America athletes.