Jackie Robinson was a famous baseball player who broke the color barrier and became the first African American to play Major League Baseball. He was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, and grew up in Pasadena, California.
Here are some interesting facts about Jackie Robinson for kids:
1. Robinson was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. He played football, basketball, and baseball and was the first student at UCLA to earn varsity letters in four sports.
2. Robinson’s older brother, Mack, was also an athlete and won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.
3. Robinson was drafted into the army during World War II and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. While there, he was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus. This event was the beginning of his civil rights activism.
4. In 1945, Robinson was signed by the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He played for them for one season before being scouted by Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
5. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947. He faced racist taunts and threats from fans, players, and even some of his own teammates. Despite this, he played a great season and was named Rookie of the Year.
6. Robinson played for the Dodgers for ten seasons and was an all-star player six times. He won the National League MVP award in 1949 and helped the Dodgers win their only World Series in 1955.
7. After retiring from baseball, Robinson became involved in civil rights advocacy. He worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a vocal advocate for desegregation.
8. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, becoming the first black player to receive that honor.
9. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired Robinson’s jersey number, 42, across all teams in honor of his legacy.
