Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson made history by breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier as its first Black player. He debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, and went on to have a Hall of Fame career that spanned a decade, despite enduring threats and abuse from fans and opponents. A passionate civil rights activist, Robinson served on the NAACP's board and advocated for greater racial integration in sports. He passed away in 1972 at the age of 53. In 1997, MLB retired Robinson’s jersey, No. 42, in honor of his legacy, and the league celebrates his achievements each year on Jackie Robinson Day.