1947 – Jackie Robinson is Hit by a Pitch, Sparking National Debate on Integration

On May 13, 1947, just a month into his groundbreaking Major League Baseball career, Jackie Robinson was hit in the head by a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The incident was not accidental—Phillies players and staff were among the most vocal opponents of Robinson’s presence in the league. The act, along with other threats and verbal abuse, tested Robinson’s restraint and dignity, qualities demanded of him by Brooklyn Dodgers management. Rather than retaliate, Robinson continued to play with excellence, winning fans and changing perceptions. The May 13 event became symbolic of the intense resistance to integration in American sports—and the courage it took to challenge it. Robinson’s poise in the face of violence made him a civil rights icon whose impact extended far beyond baseball. That day highlighted the risks involved in integrating America’s institutions and the resolve needed to see it through.