1. Jackie Robinson January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972 By Marissa Moody

2. Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia to Jerry and Mallie Robinson. He was the youngest of 5 children.

3. While in college Robinson was a great athlete playing football, baseball, basketball and track. He was named the region’s most valuable player in baseball in 1938.

4. From 1942 to 1944, Robinson served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He was arrested and court-martialed during boot camp for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus during training.

5. After being discharged from the Army in 1944, Robinson played professional baseball. The sport was still segregated at the time so African-Americans and whites played in separate leagues. Robinson was chosen to help integrate major league baseball so he joined the all-white Montreal Royals playing his first game in March of 1945

6. Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the major leagues, be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and have his own postage stamp

7. Today anyone can play baseball. It doesn’t matter if you are a boy or girl, how old you are or your color.

8. Patience Jackie Robinson showed patience when the fans started calling him names and throwing things at him. He knew if he was patient the fans would like him.

9. Compassion Jackie Robinson showed compassion for his people by raising funds for the NAACP, and participating in protests and speaking to young people during the Civil Rights Marches.

10. Sportsmanship Jackie Robinson showed great sportsmanship by playing fair, not getting angry with the fans or other players and helping his team win many games. Jackie Robinson showed great sportsmanship by playing fair, not getting angry with the fans or other players and helping his team win many games.