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Date of Birth
Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. -
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Growing Up
His mother decided to leave Georgia and moved to Pasadena, California where Jackie was raised. He starred in football, baseball, basketball, and track in high school and at Pasadena Junior College. He then attended UCLA but dropped out and played minor league football and semiprofessional football. -
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World War II
During World War II he served in the United States Army. In 1944, he was court-martialed for refusing a white driver’s demands to go to the back of a bus because he was black. An all-white military jury found Robinson not guilty of insubordination (disobedience). He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1944 as a second lieutenant -
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Start of baseball career
Started his professional baseball career with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League. Baseball was racially segregated at that time, and black players were not allowed to play in the major or minor leagues. -
Brooklyn Dodgers
He became the first African American to play in the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers. His impact on segregation on sports went far beyond the Dodgers. After baseball desegregated, other professional sports quickly followed, and a number of previously segregated hotels and restaurants began to admit blacks. He became a heroic symbol in African-American communities and served as an inspiration to those who had never been given equal oppurtunities to succeed. -
MVP
Even though he fell victim to hate, Robinson became the first-ever Rookie of the Year in Major League Baseball, winner of the National League batting title, and Most Valuable Player for the 1949 season. Because of his success, increasing numbers of African Americans began to play professional sports. -
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NAACP
He became a vocal supporter of Martin Luther King Jr. and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In December 1956, the NAACP had recognized Robinson with the Spingarn Medal, which it awards annually for the highest achievement by an African American. -
Hall of Fame
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame -
Death
He died of a heart attack at age 53 in Connecticut -
42
Major League Baseball permanently retired Robinson’s uniform number 42. This action ensured that his number would never be assigned to another major league player
