Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 and was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. As he faced racial discrimination and threats, teammates like Pee Wee Reese defended him. Robinson went on to break the color barrier, becoming the first African American player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and having his number retired by the Dodgers. He was a champion for civil rights and helped pave the way for integration in professional sports.

1. Jackie Robinson

2. Early lifeJackie Robinson was born January, 31 1919He was the youngest of 5 children

3. His UCLA Career . In 1939 Jackie became the first person in the history of UCLA to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, football, basketball and track. Jackie’s worst sport at UCLA was baseball (batting a poor .091), while football seemed to be his best.

4. The WarHe was a second lieutenant in World War II from 1942 to 1944Jackie was arrested and court-martialed during boot camp after he refused to move to the back of a segregated bus. He was latter acquitted.

5. 1945In 1945 Jackie played a year with the Kansas City Monarchs in the negro leagues. He was noticed by several major league teams for his great play.

6. Breaking the color barrier Jackie’s first Major League baseball game came on April 15, 1947 for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

7. Many players where not happy that Jackie was playing and treated him poorly. The Philadelphia Phillies shouted derogatory names at Jackie. The Saint Louis Cardinals threatened to strike if Robinson played.

8. Many others came to the side of Jackie and his right to play in the Major Leagues, Pee Wee Reese once came to Robinsons defense by putting his arm around him while fans heckled him. “You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them”

10. In 1949 Robinson went on to win the MVP and was voted by the fans to start at second base in the All Star game. Robinson also became a vocal champion for African-American athletes, civil rights, and other social and political causes. Robinson won a world series in 195.

11. He was elected to the hall of fame in 1962 during his first year of eligibility, becoming the first African American in Cooperstown. In 1972 the Dodgers retired his number 42.

12. Robinson passed away on October 24, 1974

13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO_amK0VNXg&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XY-XshGhMU&feature=related