Historic Figures in Georgia History

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia and grew up poor. He was the first African- American baseball player to play on a team with white and black players mixed together. Robinson broke what was called the baseball color line. He played in six World Series and was in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the first African-American to be honored. 

Jackie Robinson made a difference in the world during a time when white people and black people were kept separate. This was called segregation. He helped advance civil rights for black people. Robinson retired on January 5, 1957. He died on October 24, 1972 due to diabetes and heart complications.