Historical Timeline

War Heroes Day, a free event open to the public and hosted by the U.S. government, was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to honor American and British soldiers who had recently fought in World War II. Hundreds of thousands of Angelenos lined the streets of Los Angeles for a parade which started at the airport, where the soldiers had been flown in by the U.S. Army. The procession ended at the Coliseum, where a patriotic rally and “monster military display” was held before a crowd of 42,378, including thousands of troops who came from nearby military bases throughout California. The entertainment included marching bands, color guard, Air Force battle planes flying overhead, speeches from civic and military leaders, and a dramatic reenactment of battles these soldiers had fought.

Known as "The Greatest Stadium in the World", the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a living memorial to all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, has been a civic treasure for generations of Angelenos.

In observance of "I am an American Day", the State of California, along with the City of Los Angeles, welcomed new American citizens to come celebrate their citizenship at a ceremony held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With nearly 60,000 in attendance pledging their allegiance to our flag, as well as members of the U.S. Armed Forces honored for their service at that time during World War II, then Governor Warren spoke these words to the crowd:

“American citizenship is a blessing, regardless of how it comes to us, and under the protective folds of the Stars and Stripes, it generates more real happiness than is produced by any type of citizenship yet conceived.

Most of the time it gives much and seeks little in return except good living, tolerance toward others and application to the affairs of government. Now it not only gives much but it requires much. It needs our intense loyalty, our entire energy, our money, our service and in thousands of instances, our lives. True citizens will not deny any of these to their country".

The "Army Ordnance in Action Show”, a two-day free event spread out over Exposition Park, brought in a crowd of almost 200,000.

For the audience, it was just a show, but for the soldiers, it was a training course that would help them enhance their skills for battle in World War II. The crowd was able to see Army soldiers showcasing real-life exhibits, hosting a variety of different events that included aquatic warfare in a burning oil-filled pool; first-aid demonstrations; motorcycle and tank recovery drills; a simulated battle inside the stadium; and live ammo artillery exhibitions.

The Ordnance Show, sponsored by the American Red Cross and the LA Times, was presented by the Army Service Forces & Third War Loan Drive in an effort to show Californians how their investment in war bonds and stamps was being spent.

The Coliseum, a living memorial to all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWI, has a long history of supporting the military. On January 8 & 9, 1944, the U.S. military and Hollywood studios joined forces to recreate a battle in the South Pacific to gain public support for the military. 178,513 spectators attended the two-day performance with Hollywood studios contributing motion picture sets, scenery and stars Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, and Frances Langford. In turn, the simulated warfare was directed by Washington commanders in chief while members of the 3rd Battalion of the 140th infantry provided the action.

On June 9, 1945, as part of a World War II Welcome Home Tour, General George S. Patton Jr. and Lieutenant General James Doolittle were the guests of honor at a ceremony held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Beginning the day with a parade throughout the city, which yielded nearly one million Angelenos in attendance, the event was led by master of ceremony, comedian Jack Benny, and kicked off with Judy Garland singing "God Bless America." Over 100,000 people gathered at the Coliseum in the evening for reenactments of battles with tanks, B-25 warplanes, and actors in military uniforms, a musical variety show, readings by legendary members of the Hollywood community including Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis, and a spectacular light show to honor the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect and serve the United States of America.

The Lt. Dick Ryan International Rodeo and Thrill Circus came to visit the Coliseum, a combination rodeo, circus and stunt show. This event, which also included midget and motorbike demonstrations, was planned to bring to the people the real spirit of the old west with action, thrills, cowboys and horses. A portion of the proceeds went towards rehabilitating blinded servicemen.

Lt. Ryan was the United States Army's rodeo expert, hosting several rodeos to entertain the troops during World War II. For this event, he hired the widow of a fighter pilot, Marjorie Bong, to serve as "Queen of the Rodeo", however, the real star of the show was a horse named Hatsushimo. Before a crowd of 32,025, Hatsushimo, the universal symbol of freedom, paraded through the stadium to the delight of all in attendance.

In honor of National Army Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. on April 6, we thank and honor our troops for their service & sacrifice.

On September 6th, 1946, the Los Angeles Times hosted the 1st Annual All Charity Football Game. The game drew in over 68,000 attendees and raised a sum of nearly $100,000. The game took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Rams (World Champions) played the Washington Redskins (Eastern Champions). This was the first Rams home game played in L.A., as the team had just moved from Cleveland after winning the 1945 NFL Championship game. The team was well known for its inclusion of two African American players, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, who were the first AFrican American players since the 1933 season.

Regular tickets for the Los Angeles Times Charity Game were being sold for around three dollars. The Charity Game was a preseason game against the LA Rams rival team, the Redskins, which would be followed by five home games at the Los Angeles Coliseum that season.

On September 13th, 1946 the LA Dons played the Brooklyn Dodgers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This was the Dons first home game played at the Memorial Coliseum. The LA Dons were coached by Dudley DeGroot and beat the Dodgers 20-14, drawing in around 19,500 attendees.

The points for the LA Dons were scored by Bud Nygren, who scored the first points on a touchdown from Charlie O’Rourke, as well as Andy Marefos and Chuck Fenenbock. This was the LA Dons inaugural season in the eight team All American Football Conference. Overall, the Dons finished this season 7-5-2, ending up third in the West division and failing to qualify for playoffs.

Jackie Robinson Day is a traditional event which occurs annually in Major League Baseball, commemorating the day Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, and becoming the first African American to play in the major leagues.

Robinson competed at the Coliseum while he was a student athlete at UCLA, lettering in baseball, football, basketball, and track & field. Throughout his career, he was also named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and became a six-time all-star.

In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and in 1984, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1997, the MLB retired his jersey number #42, and in 2005, Jackie Robinson was forever memorialized as part of the Coliseum's legacy with a plaque in our Court of Honor.

Starring Roy Rogers, the Sheriff’s Championship Rodeo took place at the Coliseum in front of a record- breaking crowd of 100,857. With a theme of “Gold Rush Days”, the Rodeo ran annually from 1945 until 1960, and was sponsored by the Sheriffs’ Relief Association of Los Angeles County.

Dale Evans, “Queen of the Westerns”, and Ann Sheridan, “Queen of the Rodeo”, shared the spotlight as they reigned over activities that afternoon. Featuring a parade of more than 1,000 western horsemen, the performers showcased a variety of western songs, as well as rope spinners and twirlers, clowns and comedy bull fighters showing off in a mock bull fight.

The festivities ended with the most spectacular show of all, a horse drill called “Golden Horse Quadrille”, which consisted of a very well-executed square dance on horseback by eight cowboys and cowgirls, and if that weren’t enough, Lt. Dick Evans commanded a motorcycle drill by the Los Angeles Police Department’s American Legion Police Post 381.

The 1952 Pro Bowl Game was the NFL’s second annual all-star game, and it was hosted at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game was an exhibition in order to showcase the League’s most talented players from the season prior. The event attracted roughly 19,400 fans to the Coliseum. The National Conference squad defeated the American Conference with a final score of 30-13.

The National Conference was coached by Joe Stydahar, the head coach for the LA Rams. The American Conference team was led by Bill Brown, the coach for the Cleveland Browns. Dan Towler of the Los Angeles Rams, who was called the “closest thing the NFL has ever produced to an unstoppable ball carrier,” won MVP of the game. Each winner on the National’s team took away $600, while the members of the losing American team took away $500 each.

The Brooklyn Dodgers made their first appearance as the resident team of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In front of a crowd of 78,672, the Dodgers took on the San Francisco Giants, winning 6-5. Despite their move to the west coast, in their first season, the Dodgers attracted over 1.85 million fans and dominated the National League, winning five pennants (1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959) and two World Championships (1955 and 1959).