On December 12, 1912, in Columbus, Mississippi, Henry Armstrong was born.His birth name was Henry Jackson Jr., named after his father.Henry was the eleventh child of fifteen.His father was a sharecropper. He was Black, Indian,and Irish descent. His mother's name was America Jackson. She was a full - blooded Iroquois Indian. Mrs. Jackson believed that one day, Henry would do great things and become a Minister. 

At an early age, Henry's family moved to St. Louis. Henry Sr.was in search for a better life for his family. Henry was raised by his grandmother Henrietta Chatman along with his father after his mother died. He was still a youth then. Henry learned to defend himself on the streets of St. Louis from gangs. He displayed a natural gift of  wrestling and boxing, aside from some training. 

In 1929, Henry graduated from Vashon High School with honors.He was a member of his school's newspaper. At his graduation, he recited a valedictory poem he had written. After high school, Henry's first dream was to go to college and become a doctor. Instead, Henry became head of the family at 18. His father could no longer work due to health problems, and his grandmother was up in age.

Armstrong began his professional career in 1931, under the nickname Melody Jackson. He later changed his last name to Armstrong, after a friend of his.

Armstrong won the featherweight championship from Petey Sarron in 1937, the welterweight title from Barney Ross in 1938, and the lightweight title from Lou Ambers in 1938. Henry was given other nicknames such as "Hammerin Hank", "Perpetual Motion","Human Buzzsaw" and "Hurricane Henry".

In his career (1931- 1945 ), Armstrong fought 181 bouts, won 151 matches, lost 21 fights, and  scored 101 knockouts. After his retirement, he became an ordained minister and devoted himself to underprivileged youth.

Armstrong died on October 22, 1988 in Los Angeles, California, he is buried at Rosedale Memorial Park in Los Angeles.