Who Was Jackie Robinson? By Gail Herman; Illustrated by John O'Brien

Jackie is Born

Jan 31, 1919

Jack Roosevelt Robinson is born in Cairo, Georgia.

Moves to California

Apr 17, 1920

Jackie's mother moves the family from Georgia to Pasadena, California.

UCLA

Mar 20, 1939

Jackie enrolls in UCLA where he letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track.

Drafted

Oct 28, 1942

Jackie is drafted into the US Army.

Refuses to Give up Seat

Jul 6, 1944

Jackie refuses to give up his seat to a white passenger on an Army bus at Fort Hood, Texas.

Court Martialed

Aug 2, 1944

Jackie is court martialed for the July 6, 1944 incident on the bus. He was acquitted and transferred to Ft. Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he coached Army athletics.

Discharged

Nov 28, 1944

Jackie is honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

Kansas City Monarchs

May 6, 1945

Jackie’s first game with the Kansas City Monarchs, an all-black baseball team.

WWII Ends

May 8, 1945

World War II ends after Japan surrenders. Hundreds of African-American soldiers are among the thousands of soldiers who will return to America.

Gas Station

Sep 12, 1945

Jackie refuses to buy gas at a gas station because the owner will not let him use the restroom.

Minor League Contract

Oct 23, 1945

Jackie signs a contract with Dodgers owner Branch Rickey to play for the Montreal Royals.

Jackie gets married

Feb 10, 1946

Jackie Marries Rachel Isum.

Jackie, Jr.

Nov 18, 1946

His first son, Jackie Robinson, Jr., is born.

Dodgers Petition

Apr 11, 1947

Some members of the Brooklyn Dodgers sign a petition against Robinson being on the team.

Breaking the Color Barrier

Apr 15, 1947

Jackie’s first game as a Brooklyn Dodger, making him the first black player on a Major League team.

Ben Chapman

Apr 22, 1947

Jackie is taunted by Phillies coach Ben Chapman during a game.

Photo with Chapman

May 9, 1947

Jackie takes a photo with Phillies Manager Ben Chapman, the manager who had taunted him.

Pee Wee Reese

May 13, 1947

Pee Wee Reese puts his arm around Jackie at a game in Cincinnati.

World Series

Sep 13, 1947

Jackie plays in his first World Series. The Dodgers lose to the New York Yankees in seven games.

“Rookie of the Year”

Oct 23, 1947

Jackie wins the first ever National League “Rookie of the Year” award.

MVP

Oct 4, 1949

Jackie is named Most Valuable Player of the National League.

World Champs!

Oct 4, 1955

The Brooklyn Dodgers win the World Series.

Final MLB game

Sep 30, 1956

Jackie plays his final Major League game verses the Pirates. He hits a home run and the Dodgers win 8-6.

Retirement

Jan 5, 1957

Jackie retires from Major League Baseball.

Hall of Fame

Feb 19, 1962

Jackie is voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackie dies

Oct 14, 1972

Jackie Robinson dies of a heart attack at age 53.

Rookie of the Year Award

Nov 23, 1987

The National League Rookie of the Year Award is renamed the “Jackie Robinson Award.”

# 42 retired

May 15, 1997

Jersey # 42 is retired from all of Major League Baseball in honor of Jeackie Robinson's impact on the game..

“Jackie Robinson Day”

Apr 15, 2004

The first “Jackie Robinson Day” is held in which all MLB players wear “42” in honor of Jackie.