jackie robinson

1947What is Jackie Robinson Day?

Jackie Robinson Day is an annual event celebrated across Major League Baseball in stadiums nationwide, honoring the legendary Brooklyn Dodger who broke the color barrier at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, on April 15, 1947. Recognized as a transformative figure in both baseball and civil rights history, Robinson’s debut marked the first time since the 1880s a Black player openly competed in the major leagues. Since 2009, every player, manager, coach, and umpire wears the iconic number 42 in tribute, while 2019’s centennial of Robinson’s birth saw special league-wide celebrations. This year’s observance marks the 103rd anniversary of Robinson's birth and the 78th anniversary of his historic debut.

2003What memorial commemorates civilian war casualties of the Mercantile Marine and the Merchant Navy?

The Tower Hill Memorial, situated near the Tower of London, stands as the only monument dedicated exclusively to merchant seamen from the Mercantile Marine and Merchant Navy who died in both World Wars with no known grave. This memorial honours over 36,000 individuals, including 480 Canadians, whose sacrifice was vital to wartime efforts yet largely unsung. A unique feature is panel 47, which specifically remembers the crew of the SS Empress of Canada, lost during the Second World War. The memorial not only preserves the names of the fallen but continues to evolve, with new names and corrections added as research uncovers more of its silent stories.