Background Information:

Jackie Robinson was the fifth child born to a sharecropper family on January 31, 1919. The Robinson's worked for the Sasser family in exchange for their cabin and a few provisions. The family earned the equivalent of three dollars a week, which could only be spent at the Sasser plantation store.

Jerry Robinson, Jackie's father, left the family in 1919. Later the Robinson family moved to California where Jackie's uncle lived. Life was better there, but the family was still very poor. Jackie's mother worked long hours as a housekeeper, leaving the children home on their own.

Jackie grew up idolizing his older brother Mack, who was also an outstanding athlete. Mack Robinson went to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany as a member of the U.S. track team. He finished second to Jesse Owens in the 200-meter dash.

Gaining an education was very important to Jackie's mother. Jackie worked hard in school and at sports. He went to Pasadena Junior College where he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. After graduation from Junior College, Jackie received a scholarship to UC LA. Jackie enjoyed great success at UCLA. He was the first person ever to letter in four sports there.

Jackie left UCLA in 1941 and began playing profession football for the Los Angeles Bulldogs. His football career was ended by the beginning of World War II. In 1942, Jackie left for the army. He served for thirty one months, during which time he was sent to officer's training camp in Fort Riley, Kansas. Jackie was promoted to a first lieutenant.

Jackie returned home after World War II and played baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American Baseball League. Next, Jackie signed with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers top farm league. Jackie moved to the Brooklyn Dodgers to play in the major league. Since Jackie was the first African American baseball player to play in the major league. Because of the courage he showed, he opened the door for other African American players. Three African American players joined the Dodgers the following season. Jackie played for the Dodgers for ten years. After Jackie retired from baseball, he traveled throughout the United States speaking for the rights of all African American people. He also advised the governor of New York on civil rights.

Jackie died in 1972. His life story continues to stand as an example of courage and the rights and equality of all peoples. There are many tributes that have been given to Jackie Robinson, but one of my favorites was given by Richard M. Nixon, who said that Jackie's sense of "brotherhood and brilliance on the playing field brought a new dimension not only in the game of baseball but to every area of American life where black and white people work side by side"