1600-1754: Sports and Recreation: Chronology

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1600-1754: Sports and Recreation: Chronology

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF 1600-1754

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF 1600-1754

1618

  • James I issues what becomes known as the Book of Sports, which allows various sports and recreations after church on Sundays; this ruling infuriates English Puritans.

1619

  • Virginia passes laws prohibiting dice and cards.

1621

  • Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth confiscates the sports equipment of settlers found playing on Christmas Day instead of working.

1631

1650

  • Kolven, a popular game in the Netherlands somewhat akin to golf and hockey, is played at Rensselaerswyck.

1654

1656

  • A New Netherland Sabbatarian law prohibits idle and forbidden exercises and plays on Sunday.

1665

  • Gov. Richard Nicolls of New York establishes the first organized horse race on Hempstead Plain, Long Island.

1668

  • Gov. Richard Nicolls awards the winners of the horse races at Hempstead Plain a silver, engraved porringerthe first sports trophy in British North America.

1680

  • Throwing the cock, a game which involves tossing a stick at a cock tied to a stake, becomes popular in New England.

1682

  • Pennsylvania adopts William Penns Body of Laws, which forbids recreation on the Sabbath as well as the rude and riotous sports of animal fighting, cards, and dice.

1686

  • A game similar to football is played at Rowley, Massachusetts.

1700

  • Pennsylvania officials pass new laws against Riotous Sports, Plays and Games; Queen Anne, however, disallows the statutes, making them null and void.

1706

  • Pennsylvania passes another series of laws against sports, but Queen Anne again disallows the statutes.

1711

  • For the third time Pennsylvania attempts to enforce laws against sports and recreation, but they are again revoked by royal authorities.

1715

  • Horse racing is advertised in the Boston News-Letter.

1730

  • Bulle-Rocke arrives in North America, the first blooded horse to be imported from England for stud purposes.

1732

  • New York Citys Common Council leases land for a public bowling green.
  • The Colony in Schuylkill, an elite fishing club, is organized in Philadelphia.

1735

1739

  • The first mile track is laid out in Williamsburg, Virginia, for horse races.

1752

  • The stallion Janus is brought to America.

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