Key Dates
As Taekwon-Do practitioners, we remember and celebrate a number of key dates in the history of Taekwon-Do. Remembering these is a central part of Taekwon-Do culture; it's a way of celebrating our lineage and showing respect to the Founder of Taekwon-Do and the pioneers and Grand Masters who developed and spread the art. Here you'll find a handy list of some of these key dates, shown both chronologically and by calendar month, to help you remember!
| Date | Significance |
|---|---|
| 9th November 1918 | General Choi Hong Hi, the Founder of Taekwon-Do, is born in Pyongyang |
| 1st March 1919 | 33 Korean leaders declare independence from Japanese rule; the start of Korea's Independence Movement |
| 20th March 1938 | Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha, First Grand Master, is born in Seoul |
| 15th August 1945 | The Korean Peninsula is liberated following 35 years of Japanese colonial rule |
| 11th April 1955 | 'Taekwon-Do' is officially given its name and made an official martial art |
| 22nd March 1966 | International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is founded |
| 2nd July 1967 | Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha brings Taekwon-Do to the UK |
| 2nd July 1997 | Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha becomes the first ever person to be promoted to Grand Master by General Choi |
| 15th June 2002 | The passing of the Founder |
| 29th October 2011 | Paul Cutler becomes first person to be promoted to Grand Master by Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha |
| 4th May 2012 | Authentic Centres for Excellence of Taekwon-Do (A.C.E.) is founded by Grand Master Cutler |
| 12th November 2016 | Raymond O'Neill becomes second person to be promoted to Grand Master by Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha |
| 21st August 2025 | A.C.E. Taekwon-Do Edinburgh has its first class |
A Year in Taekwon-Do
| January |
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| February |
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| March | |
|---|---|
| 1st | Sam Il Day |
| 20th | FGMR's birthday |
| 22nd | Anniversary of ITF founding |
| April | |
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| 11th | Taekwon-Do's birthday |
| May | |
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| 4th | Anniversary of the founding of A.C.E. |
| June | |
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| 15th | Anniversary of the Founder's Passing |
| July | |
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| 2nd | Anniversary of the arrival of Taekwon-Do in the UK |
| 2nd | Anniversary of FGMR's promotion to Grand Master |
| August | |
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| 15th | National Liberation Day of Korea |
| 21st | Our School's birthday! |
| September |
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| October | |
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| 29th | Anniversary of GMPC's promotion to Grand Master |
| November | |
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| 9th | General Choi's birthday |
| 12th | Anniversary of GMON's promotion to Grand Master |
| December |
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