April 15, 1889 - A. Philip Randolph, an African-American and one of the most influential leaders of the U.S. labor movement, was born. The organizer and president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, an all-black union, Randolph said: "The essence of trade unionism is uplift. The labor movement traditionally has been the haven for the dispossessed, the despised, the neglected, the downtrodden, and the poor."

For more on A. Philip Randolph, visit these websites: http://www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.com/ and http://www.apri.org/

April 15, 1947 - Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets field as a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first black to play major league baseball in the modern era. African-Americans had played on a number of teams prior to the turn of the 20th century, but the sport soon became segregated.

For more on Jackie Robinson, visit these websites: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/robinson_jackie.htm 

http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/robinson01.html

http://www.jackierobinson.org/jackie/