1919
Jackie Robinson born
Cairo, GA
January 31, 1919
Jack Roosevelt Robinson is born to Jerry and Mallie Robinson.
1937
Enrolls in Pasadena Junior College
Pasadena, CA
February 1, 1937
Jackie Robinson enrolls in Pasadena Junior College.
1939
Enrolling at UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
February 15, 1939
Jackie Robinson enrolls at UCLA. While there he lettered in four sports, football, basketball, track and baseball. He remains the only athlete to have lettered in four sports in UCLA's history.
1940
Jackie & Rachel meet
Los Angeles, CA
September 1, 1940
Jackie Robinson meets Rachel Isum on the UCLA campus.
1942
Jackie is drafted
April 3, 1942
Jackie Robinson is drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas (with heavyweight boxing great Joe Louis) and in Fort Hood, TX where he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was honorably discharged in 1944 following an ankle injury.
1944
Jackie joins the Monarchs
April, 1944
Jackie joins the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues.
1945
The Montreal Royals
Brooklyn, NY
October 23, 1945
Jackie Robinson signs to play with the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm team.
1946
Jackie & Rachel marry
Los Angeles, CA
February 10, 1946
Jackie Robinson and Rachel Isum are married
1946
Jackie Robinson Jr. is born
Los Angeles, CA
November 18, 1846
Jackie Robinson Jr. is born to Jackie and Rachel Robinson.
1947
Breaking the Color Barrier
Brooklyn, NY
April 15, 1947
Jackie Robinson makes his Major League debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African-American player in modern baseball history.
1949
Named NL MVP
Fall 1949
Jackie Robinson named MLB National League Most Valuable Player.
1950
Sharon is born
St. Albans, NY
January 13, 1950
Sharon Annetta Robinson is born to Jackie and Rachel Robinson.
1952
David is born
New York, NY
May 14, 1952
David Robinson is born to Jackie and Rachel Robinson.
1955
He's Safe
New York, NY
September 28, 1955
Jackie Robinson steals home in game 1 of the 1955 World Series.
1957
Career Change
New York, NY
January 14, 1957
Jackie Robinson declines a contract from the New York Giants, to whom he had been traded, and retires from baseball. He becomes Vice President of Personnel Relations for Chock Full 'O Nuts.
1962
Hall of Fame Induction
Cooperstown, NY
January 23, 1962
Jackie Robinson is inducted in to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
1963
Jazz for a Cause
Stamford, CT
June 30, 1963
Jackie and Rachel Robinson host a jazz concert at their home in Stamford to raise bail money for jailed civil rights activists. It is the first of an annual event that continues until 2001.
1965
Freedom National Bank
Harlem, NY
January 4, 1965
Co-founded by Jackie Robinson, Freedom National Bank opens. It would be come the largest black-owned and operated bank in New York State.
1972
Jackie passes away
Stamford, CT
October 24, 1972
Jack Roosevelt Robinson dies.
1984
Presidential Recognition
Washington, DC
March 26, 1984
Jackie Robinson is awarded, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rachel Robinson accepts the award from President Ronald Reagan during a White House ceremony.
1997
42 Retired
New York, NY
April 15, 1997
The nation, led by President Bill Clinton, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic entry into baseball. Major League Baseball honors him during a nationally televised ceremony at Shea Stadium by retiring his number "42" in perpetuity. JRF launches a $12 million endowment campaign with a $1 million gift from Major League Baseball.
2003
Congressional Honors
Washington, DC
October 29, 2003
The Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian award bestowed by Congress, is awarded to Jackie Robinson. Rachel Robinson is presented the award by President George W. Bush during a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda on March 2, 2005.
2013
"42" Premieres
New York, NY
April 1, 2013
The major motion picture "42" premieres. Rachel Robinson and JRF provided counsel during the filming of the movie.