Major League Baseball observed Jackie Robinson Day on Monday, marking the 79th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Every player, coach and umpire across all MLB games wore Robinson's iconic No. 42 jersey number as part of the league-wide tribute. The annual commemoration has become a tradition in professional baseball to honor Robinson's historic achievement and lasting impact on the sport.

Robinson became the first Black player in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he took the field for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947. His entry into the previously segregated sport marked a pivotal moment in both baseball history and the broader civil rights movement.

The annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration serves to recognize not only his athletic accomplishments but also his role as a transformative figure who helped pave the way for integration in professional sports. Robinson's jersey number 42 was retired league-wide by MLB in 1997, making him the only player to receive such an honor across all teams.