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50 BCE
Taekwondo Established
Silla dynasty warriors, the Hwarang, developed a martial art naming it taekkyon (foot and hand) -
1392
Yi dynasty
Yi dynasty begins promotes Confucian philosophy downplaying martial arts. Many instructors leave to other Asian countries to practice taekkyon. -
Japanese conquer Korea
Japanese conquers Korea and outlaws Korean culture including martial arts. Many instructors practice in hiding or flee to other countries. -
Korea Liberated
At the end of WWII Korea is liberated from Japanese rule and martial arts are rejuvenated but not well organized -
Police Training
Taekkyon is taught to police in Seoul, Korea -
Military Training
First Lieutenant Choi Hong Hi teaches his style of Taekyon to the military under his command. -
Taekkyon Mandatory Military Training
President Syngman Rhee of South Korea watches a 30-minute demonstration of Taekyon and orders all soldiers to be trained in Taekyon. -
Taekwondo Unifies Korean Martial Arts
Nine kwans (schools) of Korean martial arts, including Taekyon, agree to combine the arts and rename the Korean martial art Tae Soo Do. General Choi recommends Tae Kwon Do to be the unified term -
International Recognition
General Choi founds the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) with support from Vietnam, West Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, Italy, United Arab Republic, Taiwan, and United States. The ITF is a separate organization from the Korean Taekwondo Association.
US taekwondo association formed -
World Taekwondo Federation Established
The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is established and dissolves all associations with the ITF. Kukkiwon becomes the official headquarters and training facility of the WTF. -
Global Recognition
European Taekwondo Championship held
International Military Sports Council adopts taekwondo into World Military Championship -
Olympic Recognition
The international Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes the WTF at the 83rd session in Moscow, Soviet Union. -
Exhibition Sport
Taekwondo is an exhibition sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. -
Official Olympic Sport
WTF Taekwondo is adopted as a full participatory sport for the 2004 Sidney Olympic Games -
Olympics Athens
Taekwondo is an official sport in the Athens Olympic Games. -
Modern Taekwondo
The World Taekwondo Federation includes affiliations of 182 different countries. Taekwondo still recognized as official Olympic sport.
