Timeline: History of Sports and Entertainment in the Early 1800s

Period: Jan 1, 1800 to Dec 31, 1850

The History of Sports in the Early 1800s

A few firsts in sports history.

Jan 9, 1811

First Womens Golf Tournnament

<a href='' >http://espn.go.com/espnw/athletes-life/blog/post/9473/history-lesson-links</a> The first womens golf tournament held in Musselburgh, Scotland. Although, women's golf dates all the way back to 1567, but 1811 dates the first official tournament for women,

Jan 22, 1817

First Bicycle Invented

<a href='' >http://amhistory.si.edu/onthemove/themes/story_69_2.html</a> In 1817, the bicycle was first created by Charles, Baron von Drais, he developed a large wheel, a padded saddle, and an arm rest. There wasn't a patent for the bicycle until 1818.

Jan 1, 1819

First Patented Roller Skates

Monsieur Petitbled was the first person to patent a roller skate, In Paris, France in 1819, Petitbled designed a wooden sole inline roller skate. The wheels were made of ivory, wood, or metal and made to only go forward! <a href='' >http://www.rollerskatingmuseum.com/homework.html</a>

Feb 15, 1823

Rugby Was Created

The story is that, 16 year old student, William Webb Ellis, a student at Rugby school in England, captured the ball and ran towards the defensive goal. 'Rugby' was born. Although, it wasn't until the 1860's that the first rugby team was formed.

Jun 21, 1825

Addition of the Tent

<a href='' >http://www.circopedia.org/SHORT_HISTORY_OF_THE_CIRCUS</a> In 1825, when J Purdy Brown started traveling, he became the first entrepreneur to do away with the wooden big top and replace it with a canvas tent. It then took around ten years for the canvas to take full affect.

Jan 2, 1832

First Curling Club in US Opens

The first curling club opens, Orchard Lake Curling Club, near Detroit organized in the home of Dr. Robert Burns. The game of curling was spreading through the U.S. in the 1800s in the northern states. <a href='' >http://www.curlingseattle.org/history</a>

Jan 18, 1834

First Book of Instructions for Baseball Appears

The first book of instructions for baseball appears in 1834, "The Book of Sports", was published. The book was written by Robin Carver and published by Lily, Wait, Colman and Holden. <a href='' >http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/robin-carver/book-of-sports/80476.aspx</a>

Feb 26, 1839

First Grand National Steeplechase

In 1839, Jem Mason won the first Grand National Liverpool Steeplechase with his horse named 'Lottery'. This race was held at Aintree. The race started at 3 pm that day and it was a good thing for Jem Mason, gambling on horses was highly trending. <a href='' >http://www.grandnational.hyak.co.uk/past/grand_national_past_1839.html</a>

Jan 1, 1840

First Bowling Match

The first bowling match was held in the U.S. in New York City, New York at Knickerbocker Alleys. This was an introduction to indoor bowling. Previous to this event, bowling was an outdoor event. <a href='' >http://helpwithbowling.com/history-origins-of-bowling.php</a>

Jan 19, 1844

First Indians v. White Lacrosse Game

<a href='' >https://books.google.com/books?id=vOBxMEUzf-4C&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=first+white+vs.+indians+lacrosse+game&source=bl&ots=Po9wP8XtxZ&sig=JMGSxvALW52MdtUkGKEDT-7o-2Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic1OiU1rTKAhVsvoMKHSU2B5MQ6AEIRDAG#v=onepage&q=first%20white%20vs.%20indians%20lacrosse%20game&f=false</a> In 1844, a group of five white men were defeated by five indians. This was part of experiment in the game of lacrosse. In the 1700s games lasted as long as two to three days!

Sep 23, 1845

First Baseball Game Recorded

<a href='' >http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Knickerbocker_Base_Ball_Club_of_New_York</a>The New York Knickerbockers were the first baseball team to adopt and organize a rule code. The founding first officers were Duncan F. Curry, president, William R. Wheaton, vice-president, and William H. Tucker, secretary-treasurer. The Knickerbockers were named The Knickerbockers because of Alexander Cartwright worked. He worked at the Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 12 of the New York City Fire Department.

Jun 19, 1846

First Recorded Baseball Game

On June 19, 1849, in Hoboken, New Jersey, the first baseball game ever recorded was played. The "New York Nine" played The knickerbockers. The New York Nine defeated The Knickerbockers 23-1. <a href='' >http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/baseball.html</a>

Mar 31, 1847

First Award Given in Checkers

<a href='' >http://www.checkershistory.com/</a> Although checkers have been around for 1400 B.C., 1847 was a very important year for checkers. This year was the first year for an award given out. Checkers is also one of the oldest games known to man.

Apr 24, 1849

First Baseball Team to Have Official Uniform

In 1849, The Knickerbockers were the first team to adopt an official uniform. This uniform was blue woolen pantaloons, white flannel shirts and straw hats. The Knickerbockers stayed blue and white although the straw hats were abandoned years later. <a href='' >http://www.baseball-almanac.com/firsts/first1.shtml</a>