On this day in 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play baseball in the major leagues (Brooklyn Dodgers).

Watch almost any major sporting event, and you’ll see athletes of a variety of skin colors, races, and nationalities. So you might be surprised to learn that for a long time, the major leagues of professional baseball were open to white people only. Many black players were good enough, but they weren’t allowed. So they played in the “Negro Leagues.”

In 1947, however, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. And he was named “Rookie of the Year!” Just two years later he received the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. In 1957, Jackie retired from baseball, after helping the Dodgers win six National League championships and one World Series. He was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.

Certainly Jackie was a sensational athlete; he was also courageous—that first year he endured a lot of criticism, threats, and taunts. But soon many other African-Americans followed, and the color barrier was obliterated.

Racism (treating people differently because of their race, skin color, or nationality) is wrong and should have no place in our lives. Christians especially should steer away from this sin.

The Bible is very clear about God loving all kinds of people. In fact, the apostle John reports that individuals “from every nation and tribe and people and language” will be included in God’s kingdom (Revelation 7:9). And today’s verse states that we should be unified in Christ.

What separates you from others? Race or skin color shouldn’t. Remember Jackie Robinson and Galatians 3:28, and be the kind of person who is known for love and unity.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

To Do

Today, go out of your way to get to know a person of another race. This could be a student in one of your classes, a neighbor, or someone at church.

Also on this day . . .

1906—Albert Einstein introduced his Theory of Relativity.

1970—Apollo 13 was launched to the moon.

1986—Dodge Morgan sailed solo nonstop around the world in 150 days.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.