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Dr James Naismith, an instructor at the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, Massachusetts, invents basket ball (then two words).
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Students and workers at the School for Christian Workers play the first public game of basket ball.
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The free throw line is moved from 20 feet to 15 feet.
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The field goal value is changed from three points to two points. The free throw value is changed from three points to one point.
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Basketball becomes an official Olympic sport. The United States defeats Canada 19-8 for the gold medal. The games were played in Berlin, Germany.
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The first televised basketball games were played between Pittsburgh and Fordham (57-37) and New York University and Georgetown (50-27) at Madison Square Garden.
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Bob Kurland (7' tall) enrolls at Oklahoma and George Mikan (6' 10" tall) enrolls at DePaul. These were the first two dominant big men to play basketball.
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Boston Celtics win the first of their 8 consecutive titles.
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The Chicago Packers enter the NBA as the first expansion team.
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The NBA Adds a third referee.