The History of TaeKwon-Do (Condensed)


April 11, 1955 saw the christening of TaeKwon-Do when General Choi Hong Hi,after exhaustive research,
development, and experimentation, proclaimed TaeKwon-Do to the world as a completely valid unique martial
art having a basic Korean origin.

To this ancient art, Gen. Choi refined, renewed, and re-organized it into a different set of techniques to which
he proudly gave the name of TaeKwon-Do.

In March 1959, Gen. Choi led the Republic of Korea Army TaeKwon-Do demonstration team on a
demonstration of power and intriguing techniques to the leaders of the Republic of China and the Republic of
Vietnam. This enhanced Korea's national esteem as well as paved the way for the adoption of TaeKwon-Do
as a special part of the military training of both counties.

In 1965, Gen. Choi received approval from the South Korean Government to declare TaeKwon-Do as Korea's
National Martial Art. Then he led the TaeKwon-Do Goodwill Mission on a demonstration tour of Europe, the
Middle East, Africa and Asia.

In March 22, 1966 Gen. Choi found the International TaeKwon-Do Federation in Seoul, Korea with
the consent of 9 countries. This was the first time the Headquarters of an international organization was
established in Korea.

In 1968, Gen. Choi led a TaeKwon-Do demonstration team to a Council International Sports Military (CISM)
held in France. This visit resulted in future plans for the adoption of TaeKwon-Do as one of CISM's competitive
events.

In 1969, Gen. Choi was able to hold the first Asian TaeKwon-Do Championships in Hong Kong. This was a
significant event in that TaeKwon-Do was internationally accepted as both martial art and sport.

In 1974, a tremendous worldwide event took place in the city of Montreal, Canada. This event was the First
World TaeKwon-Do Championships. This highest successful tournament was only made possible by the
devotion and dedication of Gen. Choi who single-handedly welded together this multi-national meeting of
different nationalities.

In June 1979, in Oslo, Norway, Gen. Choi helped to form the All Europe TaeKwon-Do Federation with founding
members from 14 European nations including Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia from Easter Europe. With the
founding of this Federation, Gen. Choi's vision of establishing TaeKwon-Do as a worldwide non-political
organization has come true.