Physical Education Timeline

  • Colonial Period

    Colonists coming from Europe to settle in the new world found Native Americans leading a very active existence.The natives participated in many physical activities such as hunting and fishing.
  • Philanthropium

    A school for boys founded in Dessau. Physical Activity played an important part in the daily lives of the students.
  • National Period

    Interest in education grew, and many schools were founded for girls and boys. Free public education become more available.
  • YMCA

    Young mens christian academy founded in London. First opened in the United States in 1851. Created in the U.S because gymnastics and health-promoting activities became very popular.
  • Civil war through 1900

    Many leaders influenced the development of P.E. and sport. P.E. became more included in school. Sports grew in popularity.
  • Jim crow laws

    Laws that resulted in the segregation of whites and blacks. Whites and blacks were not allowed to compete together in sports.
  • New Physical Education

    Emphasized a program of activities and the contribution of P.E. to the total development of an individual. Created by Thomas Denison Wood.
  • First Modern Olympics

    Held in Athens. 311 athletes from 11 nations competed.
  • Early Twentieth century

    Significant period of growth for P.E. and sport. P.E. focus became broader.
  • Playground Association of America

    Created by Luther Gulick. Sought to promote the development of urban and rural playgrounds.
  • World War I

    The war had a huge impact on the nation and on education. Women started showing an interest in sport and P.E.
  • Golden Twenties

    Many advances in Physical education occured. "New Physical education" began to take shape.
  • Stock Market Crash

    Stock Market crash created the great depression in the United states. Budgets were cut in schools. leading to many P.E. programs being cut or dropped.
  • Depression years

    Stock market crash affected education. Unemployment and poverty were huge in the nation.
  • Mid-twentieth century

    P.E. and sports programs grew. WWII helped with the development of P.E. programs
  • "Musular fitness and health"

    Article in in the Journal of health, physical education, and recreation. Showed results of Kraus-weber minimal muscular fitness test. 60% of American children failed.
  • American College of sports medicine

    Group founded by 11 physicians. Originally called Federation of sports medicine.
  • Significant recent devleopments

    P.E., exercise science, and sport enter one of it's most exciting eras. Many changes have occured since 1970
  • Title IX

    Amendment passed that bans any sexual discrimantion in education. The amendment has helped with girls participation in sports.
  • NASPE

    National Association for sport and Physical Education. Defined the characteristics of a physically educated person.