Today in History: Jackie Robinson
Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features baseball great Jackie Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the second game of the 1972 World Series game on this day. The game also featured a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of breaking the color line, which Jackson did in 1947 when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He finished that first season as baseball’s Rookie of the Year, batting .297 and leading the National League with 29 stolen bases. Learn more about this great baseball player and supporter of civil rights by visiting the Today in History section (also see Today in History April 15), then click the links below to access more secondary sources, primary sources and teaching resources related to Jackie Robinson.
Baseball and Jackie Robinson primary source collection (teaching resources)
Jackie Robinson historical newspaper coverage
Modern-day legislation related to Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier from America’s Library
Jackie Robinson Throws the Opening Pitch from America’s Library
Jackie’s Nine: Jackie Robinson’s Values to Live By webcast
Teaching resources
- Jackie Robinson: Remembering Number 42 with Primary Sources Teaching with the Library of Congress blog post April 12, 2013
- Baseball, Race Relations and Jackie Robinson lesson plan
- Jackie Robinson: “This I Believe” lesson plan
More baseball primary source collections & teaching resources