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Settlers engaged in many sports. For example many kind of sports were popular. Like running,boxing, wrestling, horse racing, cock fights, fox hunts, cricket, and football (soccer).
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During the 1800s, free public education became to slowly become available. In the 1820s-1830s PE began to incorporated into school curriculum.
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Catharine Beecher developed PE programs in Hartford female seminary. She was among the first to advocate for daily PE in public schools.
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The first YMCA was founded. Later, the YMCA International Training School was founded and later became Springfield College.
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In the 1840s many Germans immigrated to the United States bringing their customs. The first national Turnfest held in Philadelphia.
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First intercollegiate competition. It was a crew race between Harvard and Yale, with Harvard winning the race.
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Dioclesian Lewis developed Lewis system of "light" gymnastics. He later established the Normal Institute for Physical Education in Boston which was the first teacher training program in the United States
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Lewis established the Normal Institute for PE in Boston. The courses offered were anatomy and physiology, hygiene, and gymnastics.
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Dudley Sargent founded the sanatory gymnasium. It was a school the prepared physical education teachers to utilize his scientific and comprehensive approach in physical education.
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Delphine Hanna first woman full professor of PE in the United States.
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1/3 of the men were unfit for service. Also many of the men were found to be physically inept.
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Jesse Williams published "The Principals of Physical Education." It emphasized his beliefs about unity of mind and body.
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National Recreation Association formed. This program helped develop a whole individual plan to get people to participate in games, sports, and outdoor activities.
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Almost half of the PE programs were dropped because of lack of funding. Between 1932-1934 an estimated 40% of the physical education programs were dropped completely.
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The President's Council on Youth and Fitness was established. The forerunner to the current President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
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Lifetime Sports Foundation was established. It was instrumental in providing leadership in this area.
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The growth of participation opportunities for people with disabilities increased. The Special Olympics was founded in 1968.
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Title IX prohibits sex discrimination. The major reason that this came into existence was to ensure the girls and women receive the same rights as boys and men.
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Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. The mandates have resulted in significant changes in the conduct of physical education and athletic programs for people who have disabilities.
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The Olympics have become an embedded component of our global culture. The line between amateurism and professionalism has disappeared.
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Wuest, Deborah and Fisette, Jennifer.
Foundations of Physical Education,
Exercise Science, and Sport. McGraw-Hill
Education, 2015.