History of Physical Education, Exercise Science & Sport Historical Timeline

By camwrice1
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    The Colonial Period

    When colonists came from Europe they found that Native Americans leading a very active existence.
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    The National Period

  • Free Public Education

    Free public education began to slowly become available for girls and boys.

  • German Gymnastics

    German gymnastics was introduced to the U.S. by German immigrants.
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    Physical Education

    Physical education began being introduced into school curriculums.

  • Charles Beck

    Introduced Jahn's gymnastic program to his students. He built an outdoor gymnasium and started the first school gymnastics program.

  • Charles Follen

    Organized exercise classes, based on the German system, for students at Harvard University.

  • Catherine Beecher

    Developed and implemented a program of physical education within the educational curriculum of the school.

  • The Race

    The first intercollegiate competition occurred. A crew race between Harvard and Yale.

  • Dioclesian Lewis

    Established the Normal Institute for Physical Education in Boston to prepare teachers.
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    The Civil War Period

  • The Founding

    The Association for the Advancement of Physical Education was founded.

  • The Boston Conference

    organized by Hemingway, brought together prominent leaders in physical education to discuss and evaluate the various systems.

  • The first Olympics

    The first modern olympics were held in Athens.
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    Early Twentieth Century

  • Luther Gulick

    Helped form the Playground Association of America and was its first president.

  • Clark Hetherington

    Articulated the 4 objectives of physical education as fitness, skill, social, and mental.
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    World War I

  • The selective service act

    Had a critical impact on the nation and education. Called on all men between the ages of 18 and 25.
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    The Golden Twenties

  • The Stock Market Crash

    Unemployment and poverty reigned. Health and Physical education had a difficult time surviving in many communities.
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    Depression Years

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    Physical education programs dropped

    40% of physical education programs were dropped completely.

  • National Junior College Athletic Association

    representatives met in purpose of developing this.
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    Mid Twentieth Century

  • The American College of Sports Medicine

    A group of 11 physicians founded the Federation of Sports Medicine.

  • Citations

    Walton-Fisette, J. L., & Wuest, D. A. (2018). Foundations of physical education, exercise science, and sport. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.