Jackie Robinson History: April 15, 1997 - Baseball honors Jackie Robinson by retiring #42 for all teams July 14, 1987 - Rookie of the Year Award is renamed to honor Jackie Robinson October 24, 1972 - Jackie Robinson, 1st black baseball player, Brooklyn Dodgers, dies at 53 January 24, 1962 - Jackie Robinson is 1st Black elected to Baseball Hall of Fame January 5, 1957 - Dodgers' Jackie Robinson retires rather than be traded to New York Giants October 8, 1953 - Birmingham Alabama, bars Jackie Robinson's Negro-White All-Stars from playing there Robinson gives in and drops white players from his group November 30, 1952 - Jackie Robinson charges New York Yankees with racism February 4, 1952 - 1st black executive of a major TV station (Jackie Robinson-WNBC New York) January 24, 1950 - Jackie Robinson signs highest contract ($35,000) in Dodger history November 18, 1949 - NL batting leader (.342) Jackie Robinson wins NL MVP September 19, 1947 - Jackie Robinson is named 1947 "Rookie of Year" September 17, 1947 - Jackie Robinson is named Rookie of Year by Sporting News June 24, 1947 - Jackie Robinson swipes home for 1st of 19 times in his career April 17, 1947 - Jackie Robinson bunts for his 1st major league hit April 15, 1947 - Jackie Robinson goes hitless in his major league debut April 11, 1947 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black in modern major-league baseball April 10, 1947 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black in major league baseball (Dodgers) April 18, 1946 - Jackie Robinson debuts as 2nd baseman for the Montreal Royals February 10, 1946 - 1st black pro-baseball player Jackie Robinson marries Rachel Isum October 23, 1945 - Jackie Robinson signs Montreal Royal contract January 31, 1919 - Jackie Robinson, born in Georgia, 1st black major league baseball player, Dodgers
More Notable Events on December 13:
1990 Heavy earthquake strikes Sicily, 18 die
1978 Susan B. Anthony dollar, 1st U.S. coin to honor a woman, issued
1975 1st time Saturday Night Live uses a time delay - Richard Pryor as host
1974 Malta becomes a republic
1961 Beatles sign a formal agreement to be managed by Brian Epstein