Figure 1.--Here we see boys in a New York City public schoolboys during their calisthenics. I am not entirely sure just what was involved here. Calisthenics and dtrill were part of the physical education program at the time. All the boys seem to wear white shirts, knee pants, and black long stockings. Presumably these are not gym clothes but their ordinary school wear. Click on the image for a more detailed discussion.

We do not yet know a great deal about American gym classes in the 19th-century. We believe that gym developed as high schools (secondary schools) developed. We are not sure just when gym classes began. Virtually all high schools had gym programs by the 20th century. We suspect that American schools followed European models, at least at first. Nor do we know when gym uniforms were first introduced. We note boys doing calesthetics in the early-20th century. They look to be wearing their own clothes rather than gym uniforms (figure 1). We are not sure when gym uniforms were firt worn. We think that they were being commonly worn in high schools by the 1920s. Gym or Physical Education (PE) used to be an important part of the school program, especially at the secondary level. Primary (elementary) schools did not always have PE classes and did not have special gym clothes or uniforms. This was different in secondary clothes. PE was a class and grades were given. There were uniforms and most schools were strict about wearing the proper gym clothes. This changed in the 1970s when school dress codes and gym uniform requirements were significantly relaxed. The PE program was also deemphasized at many schools. A HBC reader has provided us some information about his gym experinces: Gym uniforms in California during the 1960s-70s. As American secondary schools were coeducational, we believe that gym programs for girls developed at about the same time as the boys' programs. Both the programs and of course the gym uniforms were different. Boys could do gym in their regular clothes, but this was not the case for girls. We believe that girls were wearing gym uniforms by the late-19th century. Middly blouses, bloomers, and long stockings were common. They eventually evolved into romper outfits. Boys by the interwar era were wearing T-shorts and short pants--boxer shorts.

School Gym/PE Programs

We believe that gym or more acurately phyical education (PE) developed as high schools (secondary schools) developed. There was by the mid-19th century growing popularity of formal physical education programs in several German states, Britain, and other European countries. These early programs were largely calisthenics and gymnastics. Sports were developing at British public schools, but these were more activities than a part of th gym/PE program. American educators at the time were heavily influenced by trend in Europe. They thus began incorporating gym/PE nto the school curriculum, especially at the secondary level. At the college level, sports programs began to develop. This shows a British influence as German schools and universities did not have sports programs of any influence. Eventually American secondary schools also developed sports programs. We believe that this reflected trens at the college level and private schhols rather than a direct English influence, but we are not entirely sure about this. Gym is a program primarily associated with secondary schools. The gym/PE programs in America became much more varied after World War I. Cathethetics and gymnastics were still animportant part of the program, but sports became a major part of the program along with health and other activities like dancing. Many primary (elementary) schools did not have gym until after World War II. Primary schools now have both gymnasiums (often multiple purpose facilities) and gym programs. They are less elborate than scondary school programs, although many secondary schools have demphasized gym in recent years.

Chronology

We do not yet know a great deal about early American gym or phsical education (PE) programs. As far as we know, it was not part of the curriculum in early schools founded during the 18th century. The history of physical education begins in the early-19th century. We are not sure just when gym classes began. They developed from physical fitness programs ininiated in Europe. Educators in German states, Sweden, and Britain began to advocate physical education programs of various types (late-18th century). They were gradually implemenging in the developing school systems as part of the curriculum. The ideas varied from country to country. German and Swedish gym programs developed in state schools and focused primarily on gymnastics and calesthetics. The British programs developed at private boarding schools with an emphasis on team sports. These new approaches gradually to spread to the new American Republic. U.S. schools ere influenced by both approsches. A few schools began adopting classes related to gymnastics, hygiene training and care and development of the human body (1820s). The Young Men's Christian Association launched its very first chapter in 1851 and focused on physical activities. Colleges were encouraged to focus on intramural sports particularly track, field and football. But physical education became a formal requirement following the civil war when many states opted to pass laws that required schools to incorporate a substantial physical education component into their curriculums. But it was not till 1970 that an amendment was made to the Federal Education Act that allowed women from high school and college to compete in athletic competitions. Sex-based discrimination was completely outlawed from government funded programs at this point. Virtually all American high schools had gym programs by the 20th century. We suspect that American schools followed European models, at least at first. Serious development of gym programs began after the Civil War (1861-65). School systems around the country began adopting formal gym programs. State legislatures began passing laws requiring the inclusion of gym programs in the public school curriculum. Schools began adding facilities such as an indoor gymnasium and outdoor facilties. Some big city high schools even added swiming pools. This emphasis on gym was mostly a requirement at the secondary level. Gym became an important part of the school program, especially at the secondary level. Professional sports began to develop after the Civil war and became popular spectator events. American colleges and universities began competing in a range of team sports (baseball, basketball, football and other sports) (late-19th centuty). This led to the increasing popularity of sports. It also fed into the developing school gym/PE programs at the secondary level. Beginning with the Spanish-American War, the issue of phsical fitness among the general population arose. This created increasing interest in phsical fitnes programs. This was especially the case as a result of World War I and II. Over 400 American colleges and universities offered programs allowing students to major in physical education. The PE program seemed to have reached their peak in the 1950s-60s. Many schools began deemphasizing PE programs (late-20th century). We are not entirely sure why. Many students did niot like gym. Attitudes toward discipline at school changed. Some authgors descible budget problems or other demands reflecting curriculum. What ever the reasons, schools began changing their programs and limiting the amount of time devoted to gym. The Federal Government is a factor here. School districts receiveing Federal funding for school meals, which means most districts, must have a program addressing both nutrition and physical activity. Many school systems are beginniung to reassess this as increasing attention is being given to the problem of chilhood obesity.

Gym Uniforms

Nor do we know when gym uniforms were first introduced. We note boys doing calesthetics in the early-20th century. They look to be wearing their own clothes rather than gym uniforms (figure 1). We are not sure when gym uniforms were fitst worn. We think that gym clothes, although not always uniforms, were being commonly worn in high schools by the 1920s. There were uniforms and most schools were strict about wearing the proper gym clothes. This changed in the 1970s when school dress codes and gym uniform requirements were significantly relaxed.

Grade Levels

Primary (elementary) schools did not always have PE classes and did not have special gym clothes or uniforms. Of course primary schools had recess during which the boys, but often not the girls, plyed games like dodge ball or kick ball. Many children got exercise at this time, Organized gym classes were less common at the primary level. This was different in secondary schools. PE was a formal class and grades were given. It was usually compulsory and on the daily schedule.

Personal Experiences

A HBC reader has provided us some information about his gym experinces: Gym uniforms in California during the 1960s-70s.

Gender

American schools had gym programs for both boys and girls. They were largely conducted seaparately. As American secondary schools were coeducational, girls were aware of the boys' programs that began to develop (1820s). For many years, however, there were no compasrable boys' programs. Anerican secondary schoolx for the most part had gym/PE programs of some kind by the time of the Civil War. Both the programs and of course the gym uniforms were different. Boys' gym programs had a strong emphasis on sports. This varied somewhat. Often health components and dancing was added to the program. Most programs introduced a wide range of athletics including gymnastic and track and field as well as a range of team sports. This was less true of the girl's programs that began to develop (lste-19th centuty). The sports component was less important for the girls and thge sports were different, although there was some overlap. Girls were not allowed ton participate in contact sports. Major changes occurred in the girls programs during the late-20th century. Congress passed an amendment to the Federal Education Act that prohibited discrimination in school gym and athletic prigrams based on gender. This created new opportunities for girls to participate in and compete in athletic programs in both secondary and college programs. Gym uniforms were another gender issue. There were practical differences. Boys could do gym in their regular clothes, but this was not the case for girls. There seem to have been some requirements for the boys, but not uniforms at many schools until after World War II. We believe that girls were wearing gym uniforms by the late-19th century. Middy blouses, bloomers, and long stockings were common. They eventually evolved into romper outfits. Boys by the inter-War era were wearing T-shirts and short pants--boxer shorts. By the 1960s, the girls' uniforms began to become more similat to the boys' uniforms.

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Created: 3:43 AM 11/14/2006
Last updated: 3:26 AM 1/14/2012