1. By Robert Cooper

2. Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919. Jackie got inspired to take on sports because of his older brother. His brother won a silver medal in the 200 meter sprint in the 1936 Olympic games. Robinson joined the army and served as a second lieutenant during WWII. While in the army he got arrested for not moving to the back of the bus. Jackie was honorably discharged from the army in 1944.

3. Jackie first started playing baseball in the Negro leagues. Soon after joining the Negro leagues, the vice president of the Brooklyn Dodgers let him join the Montreal Royals. This team was a minor team run by the Brooklyn Dodgers. The vice president made Jackie promise not to fight back when exposed to racism. The racial abuse was mostly at away games. On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson officially joined the Major leagues. This made him the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues He was promoted because of his excellent batting average of.349 and a field average of.985.

4. The racial abuse did not end even though he was in the Major Leagues. Many other teams threatened to not play against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Some of Jackie’s own teammates threatened to sit out and not play. The coach just told them he would trade them rather then trade Jackie. He led the Dodgers to a win in the World series before he retired. Jackie was a amazing player inspiring many other African- Americans to join the Major leages.

5. Once Jackie retired, he became active in business and social change. He worked as an executive for Chock Full O’ Nuts coffee company. In 1962 he joined the baseball hall of fame. In the end, Jackie died of heart problems and diabetes. He died on October 24, 1972. His wife, Rachel Isum and her three children made the Jackie Robinson Foundation. This was made to honor his life’s work.

7. 1. Unknown,. Jackie Robinson Biography. 1 Jan. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009. 2. Unknown,. The Official Site of Jackie Robinson. 1 Jan. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009.

8. I hope you enjoyed!!!