A wreath will be laid on the statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson to mark the day he broke the color barrier at Jersey City’s Roosevelt Stadium in 1946, city officials said.

Today, April 18, Mayor Jerramiah Healy and city officials will pay tribute to the Major League Baseball Hall of Famer in Journal Square.

“In honoring Jackie Robinson I hope the residents of Jersey City will be reminded of the footprint left here in Jersey City,” said Mayor Jerramiah Healy in a statement. “From the moment he first stepped onto the field at Roosevelt Stadium, he made history, and I am proud to have that moment in time forever marked in the city I call my home.”

Robinson is recognized as the man who broke the color barrier, not only in the minor leagues, but the major leagues as well.

On October 23, 1945, Robinson was signed to the Montreal Royals. During an era of racial turmoil, Robinson and his team members were unable to play together in several cities. On April 18, 1946, the Montreal Royals played their first Minor League game of the season together against the Jersey City Giants at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City. This was the first Minor League club game to break the color barrier, as well as Robinson’s debut in professional baseball.

A year later, on April 15, 1947, Robinson went on to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball while playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

On a related note, 42, a movie by Brian Helgeland about Robinson’s life, premiered last Friday, April 12.

The wreath laying will be held today, April 18, at 11:15 am at the statue, located near Kennedy Boulevard at the Journal Square transportation center.

Library of Congress photo

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