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In the beginning, during the Silla Dynasty, Tae Kwon Do was mostly used as a sport and recreational activity.
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But during the Koryo Dynasty, King Uijong changed the focus of the unique art to fighting.
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Japanese invaded Korea and occupied the country for 36 years. They banned all practices of martial arts. However, because of this ban, people started to become interested in Tae Kwon Do again.
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Throughout the years, however, Tae Kwon Do became scarcely practiced, and was almost vanished from Korea.
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The first Tae Kwon Do school was started in 1945 in Yong Chun, Seoul, Korea. Later this martial art was also taught to the military.
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In 1949, Tae Kwon Do slowly started coming to the United States of America.
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The greatest turning point for Tae Kwon Do was in 1952. Many students/ people started coming to Tae Kwon Do schools, especially military students/people.
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During the same time in Korea, special commando groups of martial arts-trained soldiers were formed to fight against the communist forces of North Korea.
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The Korean War ended in 1953.
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In 1954, General Hong Hi Choi organized one central place on Che Ju Island for Tae Kwon Do Training for the military.
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On April 11, 1955, "Tae Kwon Do" was made an official name representing as a martial art from Korea.
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The Korean Tae Kwon Do Association was made in 1961, with General Hong Hi Choi as their president.
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In 1962, Tae Kwon Do became one of the official events in the annual National Athletic Meet in Korea.
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There was a Tae Kwon Do demonstration in the United Nations in 1963, which influenced the next event.
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The U.S Tae Kwon Do Association w.as formed in 1967
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Later Known as the U.S Tae Kwon Do Federation in 1974.
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Now, over 30 million people practice Tae Kwon Do in more than 156 countries!
