Explain how one person can make a significant difference in the lives of many others, while acting for the common good. Explain how one person can make a significant difference in the lives of many others, while acting for the common good. Describe Jackie Robinson's personal courage in opening the door for other black professional sports players. Describe Jackie Robinson's personal courage in opening the door for other black professional sports players.

The first African-American to play in baseball's major leagues The first African-American to play in baseball's major leagues The youngest of five children, Robinson was raised in relative poverty by a single mother The youngest of five children, Robinson was raised in relative poverty by a single mother He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College, where he was an excellent athlete and played four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball. He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College, where he was an excellent athlete and played four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball. Continued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports Continued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports

In 1947, Jackie was called up to the major leagues. In 1947, Jackie was called up to the major leagues. He became the first African American to play in the majors He became the first African American to play in the majors In 1949, he won the National League batting title, and he won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. In 1949, he won the National League batting title, and he won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award.

As Sports Illustrated's Bill Nack wrote: As Sports Illustrated's Bill Nack wrote: – "Robinson was the target of racial epithets and flying cleats, of hate letters and death threats, of pitchers throwing at his head and legs, and catchers spitting on his shoes.“ Robinson learned how to exercise self-control -- to answer insults, violence and injustice with silence. Robinson learned how to exercise self-control -- to answer insults, violence and injustice with silence. – A model of unselfish team play, he earned the respect of his teammates and, eventually, the opposition. Off the field, the former UCLA four-sport star would also deal with Southern bigotry Off the field, the former UCLA four-sport star would also deal with Southern bigotry – Anonymous death threats; racial slurs; sitting in the back of the bus; “no colored” served or housed here signs; and opponents who were out to injure him. Robinson, however, was bound and determined that he would perform to the highest level

Support and advocate for Civil Rights Support and advocate for Civil Rights Became a vice president for Chock Full o' Nuts Became a vice president for Chock Full o' Nuts On October 24, 1972, he died of a heart attack at 53 On October 24, 1972, he died of a heart attack at 53 In 1997, baseball dedicated the season to Robinson on the 50th anniversary of his debut In 1997, baseball dedicated the season to Robinson on the 50th anniversary of his debut April 15, 2007, Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball April 15, 2007, Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball MLB retires #42 MLB retires #42