Jackie Robinson Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jackie Robinson Day |
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Robinson in 1954
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| Observed by | Major League Baseball |
| Type | Cultural |
| Significance | Honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson |
| Observances | All players and umpires wear uniform number 42 |
| Date | April 15 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Jackie Robinson Day is a special event held every year on April 15 in Major League Baseball (MLB). It honors the day Jackie Robinson played his first major league game. On this day, every player, coach, manager, and umpire in every ballpark wears Robinson's uniform number, 42. April 15 was the Opening Day of the 1947 season, which was Robinson's first year in the major leagues.
The celebration started on April 15, 2004. It remembers Robinson's amazing career and his role as the first Black baseball player in the modern era of MLB. His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 ended about 80 years of segregation in baseball, known as the baseball color line. This was a rule that kept Black players out of the major leagues. For his incredible talent and courage, Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Bob DuPuy, a former leader at Major League Baseball, said that Jackie Robinson Day is important "not only for baseball, but for our country in general."
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Who Was Jackie Robinson?
For many years, Black baseball players were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball. This changed on April 15, 1947, when Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. A large crowd of 26,623 people came to watch, and over 14,000 of them were Black fans cheering him on.
Robinson's bravery and skill opened the door for other Black players. By the late 1950s, many Black athletes were playing on major league teams.
After he retired from baseball, Robinson became a leader in the Civil rights movement. He worked with the NAACP to fight for equal rights for all Americans. He also worked with important political figures like President Richard Nixon and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
In 1997, MLB gave Robinson a unique honor. They retired his number, 42, for every team in the league. This means no player can ever choose to wear number 42 again. He was the first professional athlete in any sport to receive such an honor.
Celebrating Jackie Robinson Day
The First Celebration in 2004
In March 2004, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that April 15 would officially be "Jackie Robinson Day." He made the announcement with Jackie's daughter, Sharon Robinson. The first celebration was held on April 15, 2004, exactly 57 years after Robinson's first game.
Selig said, "Baseball's proudest moment and its most powerful social statement came on April 15, 1947 when Jackie Robinson first set foot on a Major League Baseball field."
On the first Jackie Robinson Day, special events took place at all 13 ballparks where games were scheduled. The baseballs used in the games even had a "42" logo on them.
A Growing Tradition
In 2007, on the 60th anniversary of Robinson's debut, player Ken Griffey Jr. asked for permission to wear number 42. Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife, agreed. Commissioner Selig liked the idea so much that he invited other players to wear the number too. That year, over 240 players wore number 42 to honor Robinson.
Some players felt that only a few people should wear the number to keep it special. But Griffey said, "This is a tribute for what the man has done, a day to celebrate."
By 2009, the tradition grew even bigger. For the first time, all players, managers, coaches, and umpires wore number 42. This showed unity and respect for Robinson's legacy across the entire league.
That same year, the New York Mets opened their new stadium, Citi Field. They dedicated the entrance as the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, with a large number 42 and photos celebrating his life.
Recent Celebrations
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- 2017: For the 70th anniversary, the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a bronze statue of Robinson at their stadium. It shows him sliding into home plate.
- 2020: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, games were not played on April 15. Instead, the on-field celebration was moved to August 28. This date was also important because it was the anniversary of when Robinson first met with the Dodgers' general manager, Branch Rickey. It was also the anniversary of the famous March on Washington in 1963, where Robinson participated. That year, some MLB games were postponed as players protested for social justice.
- 2022: For the 75th anniversary, all the number 42s on the back of the jerseys were colored in Dodger blue to honor Robinson's team.
- 2025: The celebration in 2025 continued as usual. The league showed a special video about Robinson's impact before every game. However, the day was also discussed alongside national conversations about how history is taught. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that Robinson's importance "transcends any debate."
See also
- 42, a 2013 movie about Jackie Robinson's life
- Jackie Robinson Foundation
- Jackie Robinson Museum
- Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award
- List of Major League Baseball retired numbers
- Tax Day
