Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day History

Jackie Robinson Day is dedicated to a singular baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, for his evoking contribution to the game. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, he broke racial barriers and changed the face of modern baseball. This day aims to honour his courage, tenacity, and conviction, manifested through his pivotal role in ending racial segregation in professional baseball leagues. An exceptional athlete and a transformative figure, Robinson's legacy extends beyond baseball and resonates universally in the quest for equal rights and social justice.

This day holds particular importance in Canada because Robinson's major league career started in Montreal with the Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1946. This move was instrumental in paving the way for his integration into the major leagues the following year, marking the beginning of the end of racial segregation in professional baseball. Canadians take tremendous pride in their country's role in this groundbreaking aspect of baseball history. Jackie Robinson Day hence strengthens the bond between Canada’s multicultural ethos and sports, broadening the perspective of Canadians towards social justice and equality.

In Canada, Jackie Robinson Day is observed by both major and minor league teams, with players, coaches, and umpires wearing Robinson's retired number "42" during games. Various community activities such as school programs and baseball clinics adopt a central theme of bringing awareness about Robinson's life and legacy. It is a day to reflect on how sport can break barriers and positively impact society at large. Jackie Robinson Day takes place annually on April 15th, marking the date Robinson made his legendary major league debut in 1947.

Facts about Jackie Robinson Day

• Jackie Robinson received several awards posthumously. In 1984, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan. In 1997, he was featured on both a gold and silver coin produced by the U.S. Mint. In 2005, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
• Jackie Robinson’s number 42 jersey was retired from use in 1997. It is the only number to be retired across all of Major League Baseball.
• In 1987, two plaques were installed on Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in honor of Jackie Robinson, one in French, one in English.
• Montreal holds a special place in the history of Jackie Robinson. It was where he was able to play baseball peacefully and without racial prejudice, unlike in the United States. The citizens of Montreal warmly welcomed Robinson and his family and the city became a safe haven for them.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Jackie Robinson Day

Top things to do in Canada for Jackie Robinson Day

• Explore a virtual museum and learn more about Jackie Robinson.
• Learn more about the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Robinson's legacy. The foundation has helped college students struggling to meet their financial needs. It aims to promote the values and character traits demonstrated by Jackie Robinson.
• Watch a Documentaries to learn more about Jackie Robinson in Canada:
  42 - Though this Hollywood film is not Canadian-made, it has played a significant role in educating the global audience about Jackie Robinson's life and struggles as the first African American baseball player in the Major League Baseball.
• Visit the Olympic Stadium: Located in Montreal, this stadium used to be the home stadium for the Montreal Expos, a now-defunct Major League Baseball team, and often hosts various baseball games and other sporting events. Although it's not the same stadium Jackie Robison played in Montreal, it's symbolic still in sharing that baseball culture.