Jackie Robinson Day 2025: Baseball Honours Jackie Robinson on April 15, Marking His 78th Anniversary

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was a phenomenal professional baseball player who, on April 15, 1947, was the first to break the colour barrier by playing in the MLB (Major League Baseball) in the modern era.

Jackie was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, but was raised in Pasadena, California. Following his college career, he was recruited to serve in the Second World War. 

Since he refused to sit at the back of a segregated Army bus, he was court-martialled and eventually discharged honourably.

Following his release from army service, he joined the Negro leagues' Kansas City Monarchs. There, he attracted the attention of Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who believed he would be the ideal candidate to break the colour line in Major League Baseball.

Why is Jackie Robinson Day Celebrated on April 15 Every Year?

On this day i.e., April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson was the first African-American baseball player to break the colour line and play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the MLB in the modern-day era.

With his debut, he ended the 80 years of segregation in the sport. It is commemorated at every major league stadium that hosts games on that day. The first one took place in 2004.

Every year, Baseball players honour this incredible baseball player by wearing Jersey no. 42. Why?

During his playing days with the Dodgers, Robinson wore the number 42. To honour Robinson, all players, coaches, and managers started wearing the number in 2009. 

This made it difficult to identify them. The umpires also wear the number, which is the only one universally retired by all major league clubs.

Robinson's cultural impact extended beyond his athletic success. Robinson gained a great deal of respect and admiration for his moral character and his commitment to nonviolence in the face of racist remarks made by some of his teammates and harassment from fans. 

Following his career, Robinson was involved in politics, advocated for civil rights, and voiced his concerns about the dearth of minority managers and staff at MLB headquarters.

“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me,” he said. “All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”

According to MLB.com, the percentage of Black MLB players on opening day this year was 6.2%, up from 6% in 2024 and the first increase since 2018.