2 • THE DAILY BEACON
Monday, April 15, 2013 Associate Editor Preston Peeden
IN SHORT
ppeeden@utk.edu
Managing Editor Emily DeLanzo edelanzo@utk.edu
Around Rocky Top
Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon
A student from the SEU Art Troupe performs during the ‘Confucius Institute Gala Stage Show: East Meets West’ on Friday.
THIS DAY IN
HISTORY
1865 — President Lincoln General Ulysses S. Grant, the overall Union commander. dies. Perhaps no group was more President Abraham grief stricken than the freed Lincoln, the 16th president of slaves. Although abolitionthe United States, dies from ists considered Lincoln slow an assassin’s bullet. Shot by in moving against slavery, John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s many freedmen saw “Father Theater in Washington the Abraham” as their savior. night before, Lincoln lived They faced an uncertain for nine hours before suc- world, and now had lost their cumbing to the severe head most powerful proponent. Lincoln’s funeral was held wound he sustained. Lincoln’s death came on April 19, before a funeral just after the surrender of train carried his body back to Confederate General Robert his hometown of Springfield, E. Lee’s army at Appomattox Illinois. During the two-week Court House, Virginia. journey, hundreds of thouLincoln had just served the sands gathered along the most difficult presidency in railroad tracks to pay their history, successfully leading respects, and the casket was the country through civil war. unloaded for public viewing His job was exhausting and at several stops. He and his overwhelming at times. He son, Willie, who died in the had to manage a tremendous White House of typhoid fever military effort, deal with in 1862, were interred on diverse opinions in his own May 4. Republican party, counter his Democratic critics, maintain 1947 — Jackie Robinson morale on the northern home breaks color barrier front, and keep foreign counOn this day in 1947, Jackie tries such as France and Great Britain from recognizing the Robinson, age 28, becomes Confederacy. He did all of the first African-American this, and changed American player in Major League history when he issued the Baseball when he steps onto Emancipation Proclamation, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to converting the war goal from compete for the Brooklyn reunion of the nation to a Dodgers. Robinson broke the color barrier in a sport that crusade to end slavery. Now, the great man was had been segregated for more dead. Secretary of War than 50 years. Exactly 50 Edwin Stanton said, “Now, years later, on April 15, 1997, he belongs to the ages.” Robinson’s groundbreaking Word spread quickly across career was honored and his the nation, stunning a people uniform number, 42, was who were still celebrating retired from Major League the Union victory. Troops Baseball by Commissioner in the field wept, as did Bud Selig in a ceremony
attended by over 50,000 fans at New York City’s Shea Stadium. Robinson’s was the first-ever number retired by all teams in the league. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers. Growing up, he excelled at sports and attended the University of California at Los Angeles, where he was the first athlete to letter in four varsity sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. After financial difficulties forced Robinson to drop out of UCLA, he joined the army in 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After protesting instances of racial discrimination during his military service, Robinson was court-martialed in 1944. Ultimately, though, he was honorably discharged. After the army, Robinson played for a season in the Negro American League. In 1945, Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, recruited Robinson, who was known for his integrity and intelligence as well as his talent, to join one of the club’s farm teams. In 1947, Robinson was called up to the Majors and soon became a star infielder and outfielder for the Dodgers, as well as the National League’s Rookie of the Year. In 1949, the right-hander was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player and league batting champ. Robinson played on the National League All-Star team from 1949 through 1954 and led the Dodgers to six National League pennants and one World Series, in 1955. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility. Despite his talent and success as a player, Robinson faced tremendous racial discrimination throughout his career, from baseball fans and some fellow players. Additionally, Jim Crow laws prevented Robinson from using the same hotels and restaurants as his teammates while playing in the South. After retiring from baseball in 1957, Robinson became a businessman and civil rights activist. He died October 24, 1972, at age 53, in Stamford, Connecticut. — This Day in History is courtesy of History.com.