Uncover the Epic History and Evolution of Traditional Taekwondo That Will Blow Your Mind!

The history of martial arts is challenging to document precisely, because of the lack of historical records, secretive nature of the teacher-student relationships and political circumstances during much of its history. This martial arts timeline is designed to help describe the history of the martial arts in a linear fashion.

Taekwondo, a martial art rooted in Korean history, has undergone significant evolution and diversification over the years. Here's a look into its history and the various organizations that have shaped its development.

Early Influences and Development

Very little changed immediately after the official end of the Tang Dynasty in 907. Tang central authority had evaporated well before the Later Liang Dynasty was established putatively on the ruins of Chinese martial arts.

A close relationship existed between Buddhism, Buddhist monks, and the hwarang organization during the Silla period. The hwarang were most closely associated with the cult of Maitreya, the future…

In 1790, Muyedobotongji was commissioned by King Jeongjo of Korea and written by Yi Deokmu, Pak Jega, and Baek Dongsu.

Key Organizations and Federations

Over time, numerous organizations have emerged, each contributing to the growth and development of Taekwondo in its own way. Here are some notable examples:

All European Taekwon-do Federation (AETF): Established in 1979 during the Cold War, it aimed to unite Eastern and Western European taekwondo practitioners under the sponsorship of General Choi Hong Hi.
American Chung Do Kwan Limited (ACDKL): A non-profit organization founded in 1997 to promote traditional taekwondo.
American Taekwon-do Federation International (ATFI): Founded in 2001 under the sponsorship of General Choi Hong Hi, its goal is to practice, teach, and promote Taekwon-Do across the United States.
American Taekwondo United (ATU): A non-profit organization formed in 2006, ATU contributes to the growth and development of Taekwondo in the United States through national tournaments, education, and charitable events.
Bengal Traditional Taekwondo Association (BTTA): A regional taekwondo federation in India, recognized by the larger Taekwondo Federation of India.
British Student Taekwondo Federation (BSTF): Supports the formation of university taekwondo clubs and teams in the UK, welcoming all styles of Taekwondo.
British TaekwonDo Council (BTC): Recognized by the United Kingdom's Sport and Home Country Sports Councils as the National Governing Body (NGB) for WTF taekwondo in the UK.
Chan Hun International Taekwon-Do Federation (CHITF): Established by Grandmaster Phap Lu in 2014, with its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Chin Mu Kwan Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF): A federation that promotes ITF/Chang Hon-style Taekwon-Do.
Cho Shim Kwan Taekwon-Do Association: Focuses on Traditional Taekwon-Do and Kong Soo Do, with many clubs affiliated with organizations such as the YMCA or local gyms.
Global Taekwondo International (GTI): ...
International Taekwondo Council (ITC): A non-profit corporation founded in 2010 by John McNally and Paul Liversidge to assist taekwondo instructors of all styles.
India Taekwondo Association (ITA): Dedicated to the practice, teachings, and promotion of taekwondo throughout India.
International Ch'ang-Hon Taekwondo Association (ICTF): Dedicated to the practice and teachings of Taekwon-Do as they were originally developed and taught by General Choi Hung Hi.
International Taekwon-Do Alliance: Organized as franchised schools, similar to the ATA.
Jin Moo Kwan School of Taekwondo: Founded many years ago by Grand Master Christopher Davies, promoting traditional taekwondo values.
National Taekwondo Association (NTA): The governing authority for the WanJeonHan style of Taekwondo as developed by Master Alan Roberts and the NTA Master's Council.
National Taekwon-Do Federation (NTF): Established in 1993 as a non-profit Canadian organization, serving as a National Governing Body (NGB).
Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU): One of the five regional Taekwondo organizations under WTF (World Taekwondo Federation).
Professional Unification of Martian Arts (PUMA): A UK martial arts organisation teaching ITF-style Taekwondo.
Singapore Taekwon-do Academy: Founded in 1971 by Grandmaster BS Huan, it is the largest and oldest governing organization in Singapore for Traditional Taekwon-do.
Taekwondo America (TA): An organization with schools across the United States practicing ITF-style taekwondo with a common curriculum and procedures.
Traditional International Taekwon-Do Federation (TITF): Founded in 1992 by Dafyd Haase, offering free international digital dan-certification and low-cost paper dan-certificates.
Traditional Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Association (TTCA): Founded in 1996 by Young Sik Choi to get back to traditional taekwondo training and values.
Traditional Taekwondo Federation (TTF): A National Governing body (NGB) for Independent traditional clubs and Associations and is a registered member of the British Taekwondo Council (BTC).
Traditional Taekwon-Do Centers e.V. Germany: An association whose members are traditional taekwondo schools primarily in Germany and France.
Traditional Taekwon-Do International (TTI): A Christian-oriented taekwondo association founded in January 2015.
Traditional taekwondo Yonmujae Association (TYA): A traditional-style Taekwondo school in Korea, independent and distinctive from Kukkiwon or World Taekwondo.
United Fighting Arts Federation: The governing body for Chun Kuk Do.
Unified International Taekwon-Do Federation (UITF): Established in 2004 by Hwang Kwang Sun, a student of Choi Hong Hi, providing a central resource and community around General Choi's legacy.
United ITF Australia: The largest national governing body representing the Choi Jung Hwa branch of the ITF in Australia.
United States Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDK): ... (need summary).
United States Taekwondo Association (USTA): A non-profit professional organization devoted to the development and progression of Taekwondo both as an art and a sport.
United Taekwondo Alliance (UTA): A networking organization that offers rank certification, tournament competition, instructor certification, and training seminars.
Unified Tae Kwon Do Headquarters: Note: this organization has been renamed World Class Tae Kwon Do Federation.
Universal Taekwon-Do Federation (UTF): A small federation of taekwondo schools practicing ITF-Style Taekwon-Do, founded in 1981 by HAN, Cha-kyo.
World Class Tae Kwon Do Federation: Previously known as United Tae Kwon Do Headquarters, this organization supports instructors who want the freedom to teach their art without politics and exorbitant fees.
World Taekwon-Do Alliance (WTA): An international community comprised of legendary Taekwon-Do pioneers, instructors, and students from across the globe.
World Taekwondo Federation (WTF): The sponsoring organization for Olympic-style taekwondo.
World Traditional Taekwondo Union (WTTU): An international offshoot of the American Taekwondo Association.
World Taekwondo Hanmookwan Federation (1954): Founded by Great Grandmaster Kyo Yoon Lee (RIP) to promote worldwide the Hanmookwan Taekwondo following the curriculum of the Kukkiwon and the regulations of the World Taekwondo.