Jackie Robinson on Racial Taunts
The first African-American to play major league baseball, Jackie Robinson describes his experience in the first few games of the 1947 season, when he was subjected to vicious epithets from other teams and spectators.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Jackie Robinson on Racial Taunts
Jackie Robinson on Racial TauntsAudio Clip (0:52)
Audio Clip (0:52)
The first African-American to play major league baseball, Jackie Robinson describes his experience in the first few games of the 1947 season, when he was subjected to vicious epithets from other teams and spectators.
-
Jackie Robinson Appears Before HUAC
Jackie Robinson Appears Before HUACAudio Clip (0:33)
Audio Clip (0:33)
In 1949, Jackie Robinson was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee to discuss the appeal of communism to black America.
-
O.J. Simpson Verdict Announced
O.J. Simpson Verdict AnnouncedAudio Clip (3:26)
Audio Clip (3:26)
In 1995, O. J. Simpson was acquitted of the 1994 double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
-
Manager Durocher Quits New York Giants
Manager Durocher Quits New York GiantsAudio Clip (1:13)
Audio Clip (1:13)
Leo Durocher, who left the Giants at the end of the 1955 season to become a baseball commentator on television, talks about the creation of a championship-caliber baseball team.
-
Lou Gehrig Bids Farewell to Baseball
Lou Gehrig Bids Farewell to BaseballAudio Clip (0:19)
Audio Clip (0:19)
The self-described "luckiest man on the face of the earth" says goodbye to baseball and fans on July 4, 1939, after being diagnosed with ALS.
-
Louis Beats Schmeling
Louis Beats SchmelingAudio Clip (1:05)
Audio Clip (1:05)
Two years after Max Schmeling's knockout of the undefeated Joe Louis in a non-title bout, they met again on June 22, 1938, for a dramatic rematch at Yankee Stadium. Playing out in live coverage, the match goes to Louis who defeats the German in two minutes and four seconds. Louis was hailed as a hero for all Americans.
-
Althea Gibson Wins U.S. Tennis Championship
Althea Gibson Wins U.S. Tennis ChampionshipAudio Clip (0:59)
Audio Clip (0:59)
Live coverage at Wimbledon in 1957 captures Althea Gibson's victory. Gibson was the first African-American woman to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals.
-
Adam Clayton Powell Rallies Congregation
Adam Clayton Powell Rallies CongregationAudio Clip (3:54)
Audio Clip (3:54)
In a 1967 sermon, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., pastor and congressman from Harlem, New York City, reaches out to the downtrodden and depressed with his "keep the faith, baby" slogan.
-
NAACP's Walter White Decries Racial Inequality
NAACP's Walter White Decries Racial InequalityAudio Clip (2:28)
Audio Clip (2:28)
On June 29, 1947, at the closing session of the 38th annual conference for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Walter F. White, the organization’s executive secretary, warns that despite progress made in civil rights, true equality can’t be achieved with a "separate but equal" mandate.
-
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. on Racial Discrimination
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. on Racial DiscriminationAudio Clip (0:30)
Audio Clip (0:30)
A civil rights leader in Harlem before entering politics, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1945 to 1971. The fiery politician's oratorical skills are on display in a speech on racial justice.
Related Videos (7)
-
Yankees Win the 1947 World Series
Yankees Win the 1947 World SeriesVideo Clip (5:03)
Video Clip (5:03)
From History Rewind, take a step back in this 1947 World Series video clip when the New York Yankees played the Brooklyn Dodgers. Watch actual video footage of the games.
-
Integration at Ole Miss
Integration at Ole MissVideo Clip (2:03)
Video Clip (2:03)
Newsreel footage of President Kennedy's address to the American people after the University of Alabama riots in 1962.
-
Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have A Dream
Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have A DreamVideo Clip (16:15)
Video Clip (16:15)
We are unable to offer the full ''I Have a Dream'' speech, the rights to which are controlled by the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To view a full transcript of this and other speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., visit The Kings Papers Project Web site.
-
Babe Ruth Signs Contract
Babe Ruth Signs ContractVideo Clip (1:04)
Video Clip (1:04)
See historic footage of baseball slugger Babe Ruth in this video clip from 'Rewind: Breaking News'.
-
Elephant Wrestling
Elephant WrestlingVideo Clip (1:09)
Video Clip (1:09)
In a What Were They Thinking video, watch as a man who has run out of wrestling partners decides to wrestle with an elephant. The pair is "evenly" matched: the man weighs in at 280 pounds while the elephant weighs in at 4 tons.
-
Jalopy Races
Jalopy RacesVideo Clip (0:38)
Video Clip (0:38)
In this video from What Were They Thinking, we take a look at a very rare type of family. See a mother with her two daughters as a bond of trust is formed beyond any I have ever seen. This mother is spot on with knife throwing.
-
Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy: Larry Steps into the Ring
Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy: Larry Steps into the RingVideo Clip (44:02)
Video Clip (44:02)
Larry becomes one with nature when he checks out the greatest animal exhibitions at the Henry Doorly Zoo. He later gets a taste of Vermont living while visiting Dakin Farms and puts up a fight at the legendary Gleason's boxing gym.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Black Women Athletes
Black Women Athletes(16 Photos)
16 Photos
View images of famous female African American athletes.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
America Divided
(3:54)
-
Caroline Dries: NYU Dorm
(3:26)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
Yankeeography DVD Collection
Own the most comprehensive celebration of a single professional team ever presented.
$73.99
Buy Now -
The Yankee Years by Joe Torre (Hardcover)
Buy Joe Torre's definitive story of a dynasty: the Yankee years
$26.95
Buy Now -
Don Mattingly New York Yankees Autographed White Jersey with ''Donnie Baseball'' Inscription
This jersey has been personally hand signed by the New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly.
$599.95
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up






