Early Life and Education of Jackie Robinson: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jackie Robinson. A timeline of key moments.
Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player who broke MLB's color barrier on April 15, 1947, when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This event ended racial segregation in professional baseball, which had previously confined Black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s. His signing with the Dodgers marked a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
January 31, 1919: Jack Roosevelt Robinson Born
On January 31, 1919, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born. He would later become the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.
1920: Family Moves to Pasadena
In 1920, after Jackie Robinson's father left the family, they moved to Pasadena, California.
1935: Graduation and Enrollment at John Muir Technical High School
In 1935, Jackie Robinson graduated from Washington Junior High School and enrolled at John Muir Technical High School.
1936: Inspiration to Pursue Sports
In 1936, Jackie Robinson was inspired by his older brothers to pursue his interest in sports.
1936: Achievements in Tennis and Baseball
In 1936, Jackie Robinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament and earned a place on the Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team.
1939: Enrolls at UCLA
In the spring of 1939, Jackie Robinson enrolled at UCLA, where he became the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports.
1940: Leaves UCLA
In the Spring of 1940, Jackie Robinson left UCLA just shy of graduating and took a job as an assistant athletic director with the government's National Youth Administration (NYA).
December 1941: Returns to California
In December 1941, Jackie Robinson returned to California to pursue a career as a running back, but the attack on Pearl Harbor ended his football career.
1942: Drafted into the Army
In 1942, Jackie Robinson was drafted into the Army and assigned to a segregated cavalry unit.
January 1943: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
In January 1943, Jackie Robinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant after finishing OCS.
November 1944: Honorable Discharge
In November 1944, Jackie Robinson received an honorable discharge from the army.
August 28, 1945: Rickey Interviews Robinson
On August 28, 1945, Branch Rickey interviewed Jackie Robinson, probing his ability to withstand racial abuse without retaliating, a concern given Robinson's past confrontations with law enforcement. Rickey sought a player with the strength not to fight back, leading to Robinson's commitment to 'turn the other cheek' in the face of racial antagonism.
November 1, 1945: Rickey Commits to Signing Robinson
Before November 1, 1945, Branch Rickey committed to formally signing Jackie Robinson. This agreement required Robinson to maintain secrecy until the official announcement.
February 10, 1946: Robinson Marries Isum
On February 10, 1946, Jackie Robinson married Isum by their friend Rev. Karl Downs.
March 17, 1946: Royals Debut
On March 17, 1946, Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Montreal Royals at Daytona Beach's City Island Ballpark in an exhibition game against the Dodgers, becoming the first black player to openly play for a minor league team against a major league team since the implementation of the baseball color line.
April 18, 1946: Professional Debut with the Royals
On April 18, 1946, Jackie Robinson made his professional debut with the Montreal Royals against the Jersey City Giants in Roosevelt Stadium. He had four hits in five at bats, including a three-run home run, marking the breaking of the color barrier in a game between two minor league clubs.
1946: Spring Training with Montreal Royals
In 1946, Jackie Robinson arrived at Daytona Beach, Florida, for spring training with the Montreal Royals. The manager of the Royals, Clay Hopper, was not in favor of assigning Robinson to the team, but Rickey refused.
1946: Assigned to Montreal Royals
In 1946, Jackie Robinson was assigned to the Montreal Royals, marking his entry into the International League and the beginning of 'The Noble Experiment' as the first black baseball player in the league since the 1880s.
1946: Jackie Robinson Jr. was born
In 1946, Jackie Robinson's son, Jackie Robinson Jr. was born.
April 11, 1947: Preseason Exhibition Game
On April 11, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut as a Dodger in a preseason exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field.
April 22, 1947: Racial Abuse From Phillies
On April 22, 1947, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Jackie Robinson was subjected to racial slurs and abuse from players and the manager Ben Chapman, uniting the Dodgers in their support for Robinson.
July 5, 1947: Doby Breaks Color Barrier in AL
On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby broke the color barrier in the American League, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson.
1947: World Series Appearance
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black player to play in the World Series as the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Yankees. The Dodgers lost in Game 7.
1947: Support From Players
In 1947, Jackie Robinson received encouragement from several major league players, including Lee "Jeep" Handley and Hank Greenberg, who advised him to overcome his critics by defeating them in games.
February 1948: Signs Dodgers Contract
In February 1948, Jackie Robinson signed a $12,500 contract with the Dodgers. He also underwent surgery on his right ankle.
March 1948: Takes Over Second Base
In March 1948, following Stanky's trade, Jackie Robinson took over second base for the Dodgers.
August 1948: Dodgers briefly move into first place
In late August 1948, the Dodgers briefly moved into first place in the National League.
August 29, 1948: Hits For The Cycle
On August 29, 1948, Jackie Robinson hit for the cycle in a 12-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.
1948: Reese's Support
In 1948, Pee Wee Reese is said to have put his arm around Jackie Robinson in response to fans who shouted racial slurs at Robinson before a game in Boston or Cincinnati.
1949: Testimony Before HUAC
In July 1949, Jackie Robinson was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) concerning statements made by Paul Robeson. Robinson reluctantly agreed, fearing negative repercussions for his career.
1950: League Leader and Film Biography
In 1950, Jackie Robinson led the National League in double plays with 133 and earned the highest salary for a Dodger at $35,000. In 1950, the film biography, "The Jackie Robinson Story," was released, starring Robinson as himself.
1950: Portrayal in "The Jackie Robinson Story"
In 1950, Jackie Robinson portrayed himself in the motion picture "The Jackie Robinson Story."
1950: Sharon Robinson was born
In 1950, Jackie Robinson's daughter, Sharon Robinson was born.
1950: Rickey's Departure
In late 1950, Branch Rickey's contract with the Dodgers expired, leading to his departure due to disagreements with Walter O'Malley. Rickey later became the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jackie Robinson expressed his appreciation to Rickey, viewing him as a father figure.
1952: David Robinson was born
In 1952, Jackie Robinson's son, David Robinson was born.
1956: Trade to Giants and Retirement Decision
In 1956, Jackie Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals. He concluded his major league career by striking out in Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. Subsequently, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the New York Giants, but he retired to become an executive with Chock full o'Nuts.
January 5, 1957: Retirement from Baseball
On January 5, 1957, Jackie Robinson retired from baseball at age 37. Later in 1957, he was diagnosed with diabetes.
1957: Vice President at Chock full o'Nuts, Freedom Fund Drive Chairman
In 1957, Jackie Robinson became the vice president for personnel at Chock full o'Nuts, the first Black person to hold such a position at a major American corporation. He also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Drive in 1957.
1960: Supported Richard Nixon
In 1960, Jackie Robinson supported Richard Nixon in his presidential race against John F. Kennedy.
1964: Founded Freedom National Bank
In 1964, Jackie Robinson helped found Freedom National Bank, a Black-owned and operated commercial bank in Harlem, and served as its first chairman of the board.
1964: Opposed Barry Goldwater's candidacy
In 1964, Jackie Robinson opposed the presidential candidacy of conservative Republican Senator Barry Goldwater, who had opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
1966: Special assistant for community affairs
In 1966, Jackie Robinson became special assistant for community affairs when Nelson Rockefeller was re-elected governor of New York.
1967: Served on NAACP board until 1967
In 1967, Jackie Robinson concluded his service on the NAACP board, where he had been a member since 1957.
1968: Supported Hubert Humphrey
In 1968, Jackie Robinson broke with the Republican party and supported Hubert Humphrey against Nixon in that year's presidential election.
1969: Protested Lack of Minority Managers
In 1969, Jackie Robinson protested against the major leagues' lack of minority managers and central office personnel and declined an invitation to an old-timers' game at Yankee Stadium.
1970: Established Jackie Robinson Construction Company
In 1970, Jackie Robinson established the Jackie Robinson Construction Company to build housing for low-income families.
June 17, 1971: Death of Jackie Robinson Jr.
On June 17, 1971, Jackie Robinson's eldest son, Jackie Robinson Jr., died in an automobile accident at age 24.
1971: Appointed to New York State Athletic Commission
In 1971, Jackie Robinson was appointed to the New York State Athletic Commission by Nelson Rockefeller.
1971: Jackie Robinson Jr. died
In 1971, Jackie Robinson's son, Jackie Robinson Jr. died.
October 15, 1972: Final Public Appearance
On October 15, 1972, Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance, throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the World Series Game 2 in Cincinnati, nine days before his death.
October 27, 1972: Funeral Service
On October 27, 1972, Jackie Robinson's funeral service was held at Upper Manhattan's Riverside Church, attracting 2,500 mourners.
1984: UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
In 1984, Jackie Robinson was among the 25 charter members of UCLA's Athletics Hall of Fame.
1997: Sculpture erected in Pasadena
In 1997, a sculpture depicting Jackie Robinson and his brother Mack was erected at Garfield Avenue in Pasadena.
2004: Aflac National High School Baseball Player of the Year Award
Since 2004, the Aflac National High School Baseball Player of the Year has been presented the "Jackie Robinson Award".
