George Brosius facts for kids

George Brosius (born September 9, 1839, died March 17, 1920) was an important gymnastics teacher. He was from Germany but lived in America. For many years, from 1854 to 1915, he worked at the Milwaukee Turnverein. This was a special club where people practiced gymnastics and stayed active.

George Brosius 1890

Early Life and War Service

George Brosius was born in Germany. He moved to America and became a gymnastics expert. When the American Civil War began, he joined the Union Army. He served as a soldier from 1861 to 1864. After the war, he continued his work in gymnastics.

Bringing Gymnastics to Schools

In 1875, George Brosius helped start something new. He introduced physical education to the public schools in Milwaukee. This meant that students began to have gym classes. He oversaw these programs until 1883. He believed that physical activity was very important for young people.

International Success and Legacy

One of George Brosius's biggest achievements happened in 1880. He led a team of seven gymnasts from the Milwaukee Turnverein. They traveled to an international gymnastics competition. This big event was held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. His team did incredibly well! They won many top awards, including 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 13th, and 21st individual prizes.

From 1875 to 1899, Brosius also led a special college. It was called the American Gymnastic Union's Normal College of Physical Education. This college was in Milwaukee. Its main job was to train new gymnastics teachers. George Brosius helped shape how gymnastics was taught for many years. He passed away on March 17, 1920.

Images for kids

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  Lieutenant George Brosius, 1863

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  Brosius as a gymnast, 1865

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  Brosius as a teacher, 1890

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  Brosius with his family, 1888

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  With acrobatic gymnasts of the Milwaukee Turnverein, 1866

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  With the first team of the Milwaukee gymnasium, 1869

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  With prize-winning Milwaukee gymnasts, 1880

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  The Milwaukee team that won 5 medals at Germany's Fifth National Turnfest, 1880

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  3,000 gymnasts directed by Brosius, 1893

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  With Milwaukee gymnasts, 1900

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  With Milwaukee gymnasts, 1905

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  With Milwaukee gymnasts, 1909