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 a pivotal figure in American history. As the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, he broke the color barrier in 1947, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. This event marked a significant step towards desegregation in professional sports, ending the long-standing practice of relegating Black players to the Negro leagues. Robinson's courage and skill paved the way for future generations of African American athletes and contributed to the broader Civil Rights Movement.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

January 31, 1919: Jack Roosevelt Robinson Born

On January 31, 1919, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. He would later become the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

1920: Family Move to Pasadena

In 1920, after Jackie Robinson's father left the family, they moved to Pasadena, California.

1922: Rachel Isum's Birth

In 1922, Rachel Isum, Jackie Robinson's future wife, was born. They met while he was a senior at UCLA and she was a freshman.

1935: Graduation from Junior 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's older brothers, Frank and Mack, inspired him to pursue his interest in sports. Mack was an accomplished track and field athlete who won a silver medal at the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics.

1939: Enrollment at UCLA

After graduating from Pasadena Junior College in the spring, Jackie Robinson enrolled at UCLA in 1939.

1939: UCLA Football Team

In 1939, Jackie Robinson was one of four black players on the UCLA Bruins football team, which was considered college football's most integrated team at the time.

1940: Left College

In the spring of 1940, Jackie Robinson left college just shy of graduation to work for the National Youth Administration.

December 1941: Return to California

In December 1941, Jackie Robinson returned to California after a short football season with the Honolulu Bears, planning to pursue a career with the Los Angeles Bulldogs, 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 at Fort Riley, Kansas.

January 1943: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant

In January 1943, Jackie Robinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant after finishing Officer Candidate School (OCS). Shortly afterward, Robinson and Isum were formally engaged.

August 1944: Acquittal

In August 1944, Jackie Robinson was acquitted by an all-white panel of nine officers after being court-martialed on charges of insubordination.

November 1944: Honorable Discharge

In November 1944, Jackie Robinson received an honorable discharge from the army and was encouraged to write to the Kansas City Monarchs for a tryout.

February 10, 1946: Robinson and Isum get married

On February 10, 1946, Jackie Robinson and Isum were married by their old friend, the Rev. Karl Downs.

1946: Jackie Robinson Jr. Born

In 1946, Jackie Robinson Jr., Jackie Robinson's eldest son, was born.

1946: Robinson assigned to the Royals

In 1946, Jackie Robinson was assigned to the Montreal Royals, becoming the first black baseball player in the International League since the 1880s.

April 15, 1947: Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color line in professional baseball by starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, marking the end of racial segregation in professional baseball.

1947: Began Playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers

In 1947, Jackie Robinson started his major league career at age 28, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1948: Desegregation of the Military

In 1948, President Harry Truman desegregated the military, which led the country toward increased equality for blacks. Robinson's success symbolized these broader changes.

1949: Song about Robinson Reaches Number 13 on Charts

In 1949, the song "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" by Buddy Johnson reached number 13 on the charts, and Count Basie recorded a famous version. The Dodgers won the National League pennant but lost the 1949 World Series to the New York Yankees.

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1949: Testimony Before the House Committee on Un-American Activities

In July 1949, Jackie Robinson was called to testify before the United States House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) concerning statements made by Paul Robeson. Robinson reluctantly agreed, fearing negative consequences for his career.

1950: Highest Salary and Film Biography

In 1950, Jackie Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman with 133 and had the highest salary any Dodger had been paid to that point: $35,000. The film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, was released in 1950, in which Robinson played himself, and Ruby Dee played Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.

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1950: Portrayed Himself in Film

In 1950, Jackie Robinson portrayed himself in the motion picture The Jackie Robinson Story.

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1950: Sharon Robinson Born

In 1950, Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson's daughter, was born.

1950: Rickey's Departure from the Dodgers

In late 1950, Branch Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' team President expired. Rickey, weary of disagreements with Walter O'Malley, cashed out his financial interest in the team and became general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Robinson expressed his appreciation in a letter to Rickey.

1952: David Robinson Born

In 1952, David Robinson, Jackie Robinson's youngest son, was born.

1952: Career High On-Base Percentage

In 1952, Jackie Robinson had 104 runs, a .308 batting average, and 24 stolen bases. He recorded a career-high on-base percentage of .436. The Dodgers won the National League pennant before losing the 1952 World Series. On the television show Youth Wants to Know, Robinson challenged the Yankees' general manager, George Weiss, on the racial record of his team. The 1952 season was the last year Robinson was an everyday starter at second base.

1956: Final Season and Retirement Agreement

In 1956, Jackie Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals. He exhibited effects of diabetes and lost interest in professional baseball. Robinson ended his major league career when he struck out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. The Dodgers traded him to the New York Giants, but he had already agreed to become an executive with Chock full o'Nuts and retire, revealing his decision through Look magazine.

1956: Final Season

Jackie Robinson's final season playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers was in 1956.

January 5, 1957: Retired From Baseball

Jackie Robinson retired from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957.

October 1959: Robinson Protests Segregation at Greenville Airport

In October 1959, Jackie Robinson protested racial segregation by entering the whites-only waiting room at Greenville Municipal Airport. When asked to leave by airport police, Robinson refused and in a speech in Greenville, South Carolina, he urged black citizens to vote and protest their second-class citizenship.

1960: Robinson Supports Nixon

In 1960, Jackie Robinson supported Richard Nixon in his presidential race against John F. Kennedy.

1964: Freedom National Bank Founder

In 1964, Jackie Robinson helped found Freedom National Bank, a Black-owned and operated commercial bank based in Harlem, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin. He also served as the bank's first chairman of the board.

1964: Robinson Angered by Goldwater's Candidacy

In 1964, Jackie Robinson was angered by the presidential election candidacy of conservative Republican Senator Barry Goldwater, who had opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

November 19, 1965: Jackie Robinson Jr. Wounded in Action

On November 19, 1965, Jackie Robinson Jr. was wounded in action while serving in the Vietnam War.

1966: Robinson Becomes 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: Robinson Ends Service on NAACP Board

In 1967, Jackie Robinson ended his service on the NAACP's board, where he had been serving since 1957.

1968: Robinson Supports Humphrey

In 1968, Jackie Robinson broke with the Republican party and supported Hubert Humphrey against Nixon in that year's presidential election.

1968: Robinson Suffers Heart Attack

In 1968, Jackie Robinson suffered a heart attack.

1969: Robinson Turns Down Old-Timers' Game Invitation

In 1969, Jackie Robinson protested against the major leagues' ongoing lack of minority managers and central office personnel, and he turned down an invitation to appear in an old-timers' game at Yankee Stadium.

1970: Establishes Jackie Robinson Construction Company

In 1970, Jackie Robinson established the Jackie Robinson Construction Company to build housing for low-income families.

June 17, 1971: Jackie Robinson Jr. Killed in Automobile Accident

On June 17, 1971, Jackie Robinson Jr. was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 24.

June 17, 1971: Jackie Robinson Jr.'s Death

On June 17, 1971, Jackie Robinson Jr. was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 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.

October 15, 1972: Final Public Appearance at World Series

On October 15, 1972, Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance, throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the World Series at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. He accepted a plaque honoring the twenty-fifth anniversary of his MLB debut.

October 27, 1972: Jackie Robinson's Funeral Service

On October 27, 1972, Jackie Robinson's funeral service was held at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, New York, attracting 2,500 mourners. Rev. Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy. He was later buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.