History of Jackie Robinson in Timeline
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.
January 25, 1938: Arrest for Disputing Detention
On January 25, 1938, Jackie Robinson was arrested after disputing the detention of a black friend by police, highlighting his challenges with racial antagonism.
May 7, 1938: Broad-Jump Record
On May 7, 1938, Jackie Robinson broke an American junior college broad-jump record with a jump of 25 6+1⁄2 in.
1939: Joins UCLA Football Team
In 1939, Jackie Robinson joined the UCLA football team, where he was one of four black players, making UCLA's football team one of the most integrated teams.
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: Led NCAA in Punt Return Average
During the 1940 season, Jackie Robinson led the NCAA in punt return average.
1940: NCAA Championship in Long Jump
In 1940, Jackie Robinson won the NCAA championship in the long jump.
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).
July 1941: Army OCS Guidelines Drafted
In July 1941, the Army's initial guidelines for Officer Candidate School (OCS) were drafted as race-neutral.
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.
July 6, 1944: Refusal to Move on Army Bus
On July 6, 1944, Jackie Robinson refused to move to the back of an Army bus, leading to his detention and eventual court-martial.
August 1944: Acquitted by Court-Martial
In August 1944, Jackie Robinson was acquitted by an all-white panel of officers in his court-martial.
November 1944: Honorable Discharge
In November 1944, Jackie Robinson received an honorable discharge from the army.
1944: Athletic Director at Samuel Huston College
In 1944, Jackie Robinson accepted a position as the athletic director at Samuel Huston College, including coaching the school's basketball team.
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.
1945: Plays for Kansas City Monarchs
In 1945, Jackie Robinson played professional baseball in the Negro leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs.
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: Robinson played for Montreal Royals
In 1946, Jackie Robinson played for the Montreal Royals, residing at 8232 avenue de Gaspé near Jarry Park.
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: Beginnings of Balanced Offense
From 1947 Jackie Robinson helped to usher in the beginning of post-"long ball" era in baseball, characterized by a shift towards footspeed and aggressive base-running.
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: Beginning of Major League Career
In 1947, Jackie Robinson began his major league career at the age of 28, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1947: Robinson's Rookie Season
In 1947, Jackie Robinson concluded his rookie season in MLB.
1947: Jackie Robinson's Rookie of the Year Award
In 1947, Jackie Robinson received Major League Rookie of the Year Award.
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.
1947: Rookie of the Year Award
In 1947, Jackie Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award, marking the beginning of his celebrated MLB career.
1947: Threatened Strike
In 1947, the St. Louis Cardinals threatened to strike if Robinson played, but the National League President and Baseball Commissioner made it known that any striking players would be suspended.
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: Robinson's Batting Average in 1948
In 1948, Jackie Robinson had a batting average of .296. This led him to seek batting advice from George Sisler during the spring of 1949.
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.
1948: Truman's Desegregation of the Military
In 1948, President Harry Truman's desegregation of the military contributed to the broader movement toward increased equality for black Americans.
1949: Inaugural Rookie of the Year Award
In 1949, Jackie Robinson was awarded the inaugural Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award for his performance during the season.
1949: National League MVP Award
In 1949, Jackie Robinson was honored as the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player, becoming the first black player to receive this award.
1949: Batting Improvement and MVP Award
In 1949, Jackie Robinson worked with George Sisler to improve his batting skills, focusing on hitting to right field and anticipating fastballs. This led to an increase in his batting average to .342, along with 37 stolen bases and 124 runs batted in. As a result, Robinson earned the National League Most Valuable Player Award for 1949 and was chosen as an All-Star.
1949: Dodgers in the 1949 World Series
In 1949, the Dodgers won the National League pennant but lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. That year, Buddy Johnson's song "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" reached number 13 on the charts.
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.
October 3, 1951: Dodgers Lost Pennant
On October 3, 1951, the Dodgers lost the pennant after Bobby Thomson's home run, known as the 'Shot Heard 'Round the World.' Despite his dejection, Robinson observed Thomson's feet to ensure he touched all the bases.
1951: Managerial Offer
Before the 1951 season, Walter O'Malley reportedly offered Jackie Robinson the job of manager of the Montreal Royals, which Robinson was allegedly delighted and honored to accept, although reports differed as to whether a position was formally offered.
1951: League Leader in Double Plays and Pennant Contention
During the 1951 season, Jackie Robinson led the National League in double plays for the second year in a row, with 137. In the last game of the regular season in 1951, he tied the game in the 13th inning and hit a game-winning home run in the 14th, forcing a playoff series against the New York Giants.
1951: Second Time as League Leader in Fielding
In 1951, Jackie Robinson again led the league in fielding among second basemen, marking his second consecutive year achieving this distinction.
1952: World Series Loss and Racial Challenge
In 1952, Jackie Robinson recorded a career-high on-base percentage of .436, though his season was considered average for him. The Dodgers lost the 1952 World Series to the Yankees. That year, Robinson challenged the Yankees' general manager on their racial record on "Youth Wants to Know."
1952: David Robinson was born
In 1952, Jackie Robinson's son, David Robinson was born.
1953: Balanced Offensive Strategies
From 1947 to 1953, Jackie Robinson averaged more than 110 runs, showcasing a balanced approach to offense that emphasized both hitting ability and speed.
1953: Another Pennant and Racial Activism
In 1953, Jackie Robinson helped the Dodgers win another National League pennant but faced another World Series loss to the Yankees. He became editor of "Our Sports" magazine, addressing Negro sports issues and criticizing segregated establishments, leading to some integrations.
1954: Home Runs and Doubles
In 1954, Jackie Robinson had 62 runs scored, a .311 batting average, and 7 steals. On June 17, he hit two home runs and two doubles.
1955: World Series Championship
In 1955, Jackie Robinson played in his sixth World Series and helped the Dodgers win the championship.
December 1956: NAACP Spingarn Medal
In December 1956, the NAACP recognized Jackie Robinson with the Spingarn Medal.
1956: End of Playing Career
In 1956, Jackie Robinson ended his ten-season major league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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.
October 1959: Desegregation Protest at Greenville Airport
In October 1959, Jackie Robinson protested segregation at the Greenville Municipal Airport by entering the whites-only waiting room and refusing to leave when asked. He urged black citizens to vote and protest their second-class citizenship.
1960: Supported Richard Nixon
In 1960, Jackie Robinson supported Richard Nixon in his presidential race against John F. Kennedy.
1962: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
In 1962, Jackie Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, becoming the first Black player inducted. He encouraged voters to consider only his on-field qualifications.
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.
1965: Analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week
In 1965, Jackie Robinson became the first Black person to serve as an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week telecasts.
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.
1966: General Manager for Brooklyn Dodgers
In 1966, Jackie Robinson was hired as general manager for the short-lived Brooklyn Dodgers of the Continental Football League.
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.
June 4, 1972: Dodgers Retired Robinson's Number
On June 4, 1972, the Dodgers retired Jackie Robinson's uniform number, 42, along with those of Roy Campanella and Sandy Koufax.
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.
1972: Commentator on Montreal Expos Telecasts
In 1972, Jackie Robinson served as a part-time commentator on Montreal Expos telecasts.
1974: Frank Robinson becomes first Black manager
After the 1974 season, Frank Robinson (no relation) was hired to manage the Cleveland Indians. Jackie Robinson's wish to see a Black manager was fulfilled after his death.
1976: Jackie Robinson House declared a National Historic Landmark
In 1976, Jackie Robinson's home in Brooklyn, known as the Jackie Robinson House, was declared a National Historic Landmark.
1978: Colonial Park in Harlem renamed after Robinson
In 1978, Colonial Park in Harlem was renamed in honor of Jackie Robinson.
1982: Jackie Robinson Honored with Postage Stamp
In 1982, Jackie Robinson was honored by the United States Postal Service with a postage stamp.
March 26, 1984: Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Jackie Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom on March 26, 1984.
1984: UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
In 1984, Jackie Robinson was among the 25 charter members of UCLA's Athletics Hall of Fame.
1987: Jackie Robinson Award
In 1987, both the National and American League Rookie of the Year Awards were renamed the "Jackie Robinson Award" in honor of Jackie Robinson.
1990: Jackie Robinson Ballpark Renamed
In 1990, City Island Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, was renamed Jackie Robinson Ballpark. A statue of Robinson with two children was erected in front of the ballpark.
1990: Rachel Robinson served on the board of the Freedom National Bank until it closed
In 1990, Jackie Robinson's wife Rachel Robinson served on the board of the Freedom National Bank until it closed.
April 15, 1997: Number 42 Retired Throughout MLB
On April 15, 1997, Jackie Robinson's jersey number, 42, was retired throughout Major League Baseball.
1997: MLB Retires Number 42
In 1997, MLB retired Jackie Robinson's uniform number, 42, across all Major League teams, a first in professional sports.
1997: Interboro Parkway renamed in honor of Robinson
In 1997, New York City renamed the Interboro Parkway in honor of Jackie Robinson.
1997: Sculpture erected in Pasadena
In 1997, a sculpture depicting Jackie Robinson and his brother Mack was erected at Garfield Avenue in Pasadena.
1997: Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin
In 1997, the United States Mint issued a Jackie Robinson commemorative silver dollar and a five-dollar gold coin.
1999: Jackie Robinson Honored with Postage Stamp
In 1999, Jackie Robinson was again honored by the United States Postal Service with a postage stamp.
1999: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 1999, Jackie Robinson was named by Time on its list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. He was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team and ranked No. 44 on The Sporting News list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players" in 1999.
1999: All-Century Team
In 1999, Jackie Robinson was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
2000: Jackie Robinson Honored with Postage Stamp
In 2000, Jackie Robinson was again honored by the United States Postal Service with a postage stamp.
2000: Wayne Gretzky's number retired
In 2000, Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired by the NHL.
2002: Included in 100 Greatest African Americans List
In 2002, Molefi Kete Asante included Jackie Robinson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.
April 15, 2004: First "Jackie Robinson Day"
On April 15, 2004, MLB inaugurated "Jackie Robinson Day," an annual tradition where every player wears no. 42.
2004: Jackie Robinson Day Established
In 2004, MLB began honoring Jackie Robinson by allowing players to wear number 42 on April 15, Jackie Robinson Day.
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".
March 2, 2005: Congressional Gold Medal
On March 2, 2005, President George W. Bush gave Jackie Robinson's widow the Congressional Gold Medal.
November 1, 2005: Statue Unveiling
On November 1, 2005, a statue depicting Pee Wee Reese with his arm around Jackie Robinson was unveiled at KeySpan Park, commemorating Reese's support for Robinson in the face of racial slurs.
November 2006: Announcement of Jackie Robinson Rotunda
In November 2006, it was announced that the main entrance to Citi Field, the new ballpark for the New York Mets, would be called the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.
August 20, 2007: Induction into California Hall of Fame
On August 20, 2007, Jackie Robinson was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
2007: MLB invited players to wear number 42
In 2007, for the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut, MLB invited players to wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
April 15, 2008: Jackie Robinson Foundation Museum Announcement
On April 15, 2008, Rachel Robinson announced that the Jackie Robinson Foundation would open a museum devoted to Jackie in Lower Manhattan in 2010.
June 25, 2008: New Plaque at Baseball Hall of Fame
On June 25, 2008, MLB installed a new plaque for Jackie Robinson at the Baseball Hall of Fame commemorating his off-the-field impact.
April 16, 2009: Jackie Robinson Rotunda Dedicated
On April 16, 2009, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was dedicated at the opening of Citi Field, the new ballpark for the New York Mets.
2009: All MLB personnel wore number 42 on April 15
In 2009, all of MLB's uniformed personnel wore number 42 on April 15, a tradition that has continued every year since.
2010: Planned opening of Jackie Robinson Foundation Museum
In 2010, the Jackie Robinson Foundation was planning to open a museum devoted to Jackie in Lower Manhattan.
2011: Plaque Placed at Robinson's Montreal Home
In 2011, the U.S. placed a plaque at Jackie Robinson's Montreal home to honor the ending of segregation in baseball.
April 14, 2013: New mural unveiled at Jackie Robinson Stadium
On April 14, 2013, a new mural of Jackie Robinson by Mike Sullivan was unveiled at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
2013: Mariano Rivera retired as last player to wear #42
In 2013, Mariano Rivera retired, ending the use of Jackie Robinson's number 42 which was grandfathered in previously.
November 22, 2014: UCLA Retires Number 42 Across All Sports
On November 22, 2014, UCLA announced it would retire the number 42 across all university sports, effective immediately, to honor Jackie Robinson.
2016: PBS Documentary Release
In 2016, the PBS documentary "Jackie Robinson," directed by Ken Burns, was released, featuring Jamie Foxx as the voice of Robinson.
November 19, 2017: Robinson's Jersey Sold at Auction for Record Price
On November 19, 2017, a jersey that Jackie Robinson brought home after his rookie season was sold at auction for $2.05 million, the highest price ever paid for a post-World War II jersey.
2017: Statue unveiled at Dodger Stadium
In 2017, a statue of Jackie Robinson, created by Branly Cadet, was unveiled at Dodger Stadium. It was the first statue the Dodgers ever unveiled.
2020: Ranked on "Baseball 100" list
In 2020, Jackie Robinson was ranked at number 42 on The Athletic's "Baseball 100" list, compiled by Joe Posnanski.
2022: School Record for Rushing Yards
As of 2022, Jackie Robinson holds the school football record for highest rushing yards per carry in a season.
2022: Bill Russell's number retired
In 2022, Bill Russell's number 6 was retired by the NBA.
2022: Jackie Robinson Museum opened
The Jackie Robinson Museum opened in 2022 in New York.
2023: Salary Comparison in 2023 Dollars
In 1950, Jackie Robinson's salary of $35,000 would be equal to approximately $443,237 in 2023 dollars, illustrating the financial value of his contributions to baseball.
2024: Rachel Robinson still an officer of Jackie Robinson Foundation
As of 2024, Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson remains an officer of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
