Speech #1140058932

This event was attended by leaders of Congress. and Czech Ambassador to the United States. Petr Gandalovic. The first American Sokol unit was founded by Czech and Slovak immigrants. Karel Prochazka. Jaroslav Vostrovsky. and E.B. Erben. in Saint Louis. Missouri in 1865. At that time. large numbers of immigrants were flocking to the United States and these founders created community centers for their children to learn and engage in fitness activitiesthese centers were the first American Sokols. During the first 50 years of the organization. many American Sokols were formed throughout the United States. and all of these units were incorporated into the American Sokol Organization on January 1. 1917. Today. well into its second century in service.