Celebrating Jackie Robinson Day with Universal Newsreels

On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first black major league player, ending racial segregation in professional baseball. April 15, 2024 marks the 20th year that Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, remembering and honoring his career as an athlete and activist.

Starting as a first baseman Robinson played 10 seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers, six World Series, and six All-Star Games, the beginning of his career also marks the beginning of the post-"long ball" era in baseball. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and in 1997 became the first professional athlete to be honored with the retirement of their jersey number across all major league teams.

If you won't be spending the day at the ballpark wearing your number 42 jersey you can commemorate the day by watching historic footage of Jackie Robinson from the Universal Newsreels at the National Archives.