Join Our First Virtual PJ Party Oct. 17
Press Release · Thursday, October 8, 2020

Washington, DC

Wear your splashiest PJs and join us for a Virtual Pajama Party Saturday, October 17, from 8-9 pm (ET)!  This virtual live program focuses on baseball player and Civil Rights activist Jackie Robinson, a man who helped to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Robinson’s daughter, author Sharon Robinson, will discuss her book The Hero Two Doors Down. 

Three related activity sessions will be posted in advance of the program. Each activity connects a theme in the book to real National Archives records, and features both art and writing activities. Geared to children ages 8-12 (and interested siblings), The event is free but online registration is required. The book is available for purchase from the Archives Store, use code BOOK15 for a 15% discount! Questions? Email education@nara.gov with the subject line "Pajama Party."

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (1919-72), the first black man to "officially" play in the big leagues in the 20th century, possessed enormous physical talent and a fierce determination to succeed. In the course of a distinguished 10-year baseball career beginning in 1947, Robinson led the Brooklyn Dodgers to six National League titles and one victorious World Series. Beyond his many and stellar baseball feats, Robinson went on to champion the cause of civil rights when he retired from the game. The National Archives holds numerous records relating to Jackie Robinson that document his civil rights advocacy, including letters to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. 

Related online resources:

• Prologue Magazine story: Jim Crow, Meet Lieutenant Robinson
• Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
• Teaching Activities on DocsTeach: Analyzing Jackie Robinson's White House Letter, Analyzing a Photograph of Jackie Robinson, Analyzing a Letter from Jackie Robinson: "Fair Play and Justice"

See upcoming events for students, families and educators.