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On January 31, 1919, the great American athlete Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia

January 31

|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 31 of January, repeating indefinitely

On January 31, 1919, the great American athlete Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson was the first Black baseball player to compete in the Major League within the modern era and the first Black American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Upon joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson endured death threats and abuse with bravery and grace, breaking barriers on behalf of all Americans. His success on the field was not just noteworthy for baseball, but for the entire American Civil Rights movement.

Did you know? Aside from his athletic career, Robinson was a successful businessman,  becoming the first  Black vice president of a Fortune 500 company.

 

 

Jackie Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers Uniform, United States Information Agency, 1950

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer

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Date:
January 31
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