A Big Weekend in Boston: Jackie Robinson Day, Patriots Day, & the Boston Marathon

April 15th is Jackie Robinson Day, celebrating the achievements of the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. It's a day to remember Robinson's courage and perseverance in the face of intense racism and discrimination.

Jackie Robinson Day, Patriots Day, & the Boston Marathon collage.Photo bythe author with PowerPoint Design Creation tool.

Additionally, 17 April is Patriots Day, a day that holds great significance in the history of Boston and the United States. And for sports fans, it's a day that features both Boston Marathon and the Red Sox. This year they’ll face the MVP of the World Baseball Classic, Pitcher Shohei Ohtani.

Here's a closer look at the history and significance of each of these events.

Jackie Robinson Day

April 15th marks the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Robinson's integration into baseball was a major milestone in the civil rights movement and paved the way for other African American players to follow in his footsteps.

Every year, all players in Major League Baseball wear Robinson's number 42 on their jerseys as a tribute to his legacy. It's a powerful symbol of the progress made in the fight for racial equality, but it's also a reminder that the struggle is far from over.

The History of Patriots Day

Patriots Day is a holiday that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War. On April 19, 1775, British troops marched on Lexington and Concord, two small towns outside of Boston, to seize a cache of weapons and arrest American leaders.

The confrontation turned into a battle, and the colonists successfully defended their supplies and routed the British. The victory at Lexington and Concord was the war's first major engagement and helped galvanize the American cause.

Of course, don’t tell Crispus Attucks the war didn’t start in 1770, a sailor and an African and Indigenous Black Indigenous Person of Color (BIPOC) shot and killed by the British on 5 March, and is considered the first casualty of the American Revolution.

The Red Sox Brayan Bello Will Pitch Against the Angels & Shohei Ohtani

On Patriots Day, the Boston Red Sox will play the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park at 11:05 am. The game will feature a matchup between two exciting young pitchers: Brayan Bello of the Red Sox and Shohei Ohtani of the Angels.

Bello is a highly regarded pitcher who has yet to make a start this year but threw 55 strikeouts in 57 innings in 2022.

Ohtani is a two-way player who can pitch and hit at an elite level. Ohtani has two victories already in 2023, with a 0.47 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, while striking out 19 in 14 innings.

The game promises to showcase young talent, and it should be a beautiful day at Fenway Park, though Boston weather is always unpredictable.

The History of the Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, dating back to 1897. The race is run on Patriots Day, starting in the town of Hopkinton and ending at Copley Square in Boston's Back Bay.

However, as the race tops Heartbreak Hill at Mile 20, the runners can see the Citgo atop Fenway Park. This is a welcome sight for many runners as they know they are getting close, while others know they still have six miles to run.

The marathon commemorates the commencement of The Battles of Lexington & Concord on 19 April 1775 (now run on Patriots Day on the third Monday of April). The world-famous “shot heard around the world” observes the beginning of the American Revolution against their colonists.

Bello is a highly regarded pitcher who has yet to make a start this year but threw 55 strikeouts in 57 innings in 2022.

Ohtani is a two-way player who can pitch and hit at an elite level. Ohtani has two victories already in 2023, with a 0.47 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, while striking out 19 in 14 innings.

The game promises to showcase young talent, and it should be a beautiful day at Fenway Park, though Boston weather is always unpredictable.

Bello is a highly regarded pitcher who has yet to make a start this year but threw 55 strikeouts in 57 innings in 2022.

Ohtani is a two-way player who can pitch and hit at an elite level. Ohtani has two victories already in 2023, with a 0.47 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, while striking out 19 in 14 innings.

The game promises to showcase young talent, and it should be a beautiful day at Fenway Park, though Boston weather is always unpredictable.

The course is famously challenging, with steep hills and unpredictable weather. But for runners, it's also one of the most prestigious and rewarding races in the world. The Boston Marathon has become a symbol of endurance, determination, and community spirit.

The Ten-Year Anniversary of the Marathon Bombing

April 17th, 2013, was a day that changed the city of Boston forever. Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds more.

The attack was a senseless act of violence and terrorism that shook the nation to its core. But in the aftermath, Bostonians united to support and show their resilience.

The phrase "Boston Strong" became a rallying cry for the city and a symbol of the community's strength and unity. This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the bombing, and while the scars of that day may never fully heal, the city of Boston has shown that it can rise above adversity and come back stronger.

Let’s not forget what David “Big Papi” Ortiz said that day, “This is our F---ing City.” A rallying cry only a personality like Big Papi could get away with telling the grieving people of Boston. The incidents of that day indirectly propelled the Red Sox to their third World Series in the new millennium, 2004, 2007, and 2013. They would win another in 2018.

Final Thoughts

Not only are 30,000 runners competing in the Boston Marathon, but the Celtics and Bruins start their playoff runs this weekend. The Bruins set a record for wins and points scored this season, and many expect them to contend for the Stanley Cup. Likewise, the Celtics are favored to hoist their 18th NBA Championship banner this year after losing to the Warriors last year.

The three-day weekend for many Bostonians, the 15th through the 17th of April, are significant days in Boston and around the country, filled with historical significance and sporting events that bring people together.

The weekend starts with celebrating Jackie Robinson’s legacy and his role in breaking down racial barriers in sports. It's a day to remember.

Want to read local news stories for free?

Sign up using my referral link.

If you’re interested in making a side hustle from writing about local news, sign up using my referral link, and we can both make more. Don’t forget to use your link when you write.

About the author

Stephen Dalton is a native of Old Town, ME, and a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Top Writer in Travel, Food, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, Short Story, and a NewsBreak Community Voice Pro.