The Harlem Globetrotters is an American exhibition basketball team created by Abe Saperstein in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. The team adopted the name Harlem because of its connotations as a major African-American community.

On January 7, 1927, the Globetrotters traveled 48 miles west from Chicago to play their first game in Hinckley, Illinois.

Today, they combine athleticism, theater, and comedy in their style of play. They have played in more than 124 countries with their jaw-dropping skills and heartwarming antics​​​​​​.

The Globetrotters have a record that’s hard to beat, with over 27,000 wins to their name, and they’ve even dazzled fans in front of popes and kings​​.

But Harlem Globetrotter’s Day is more than just reminiscing about their victories or the magic they perform with a basketball. It’s a day to recognize the barriers they’ve broken and the unity they’ve fostered through the love of the game. They weren’t just players.

They were pioneers who played a pivotal role in integrating the sport, with players like Nat Clifton breaking into the NBA and Lynette Woodard becoming the first female Globetrotter​​​​.

Their impact goes beyond the court, promoting messages of equality, joy, and community spirit worldwide.

Their 2025 World Tour got underway last month. They will perform in Monroe on January 18.