16th Century
Various forms of ju-jitsu developed in Japan

1860
The founder of judo Jigoro Kano was born in 1860

1883
Kano had clarified his analysis of ju-jutsu and related methods to the point at which he felt able to instruct the public through a school of his own

1883
Kano borrowed a small room at Eishoji temple and opened the first Kodokan for the study of Kano judo

1889
Kano made the first of a series of overseas trips to Europe and the USA to promote judo

1911
Judo integrated into the Japanese educational system

1951
International Judo Federation formed

1964
Judo debuts as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games

1965
First men's World Championships held

1980
First women's World Championships held

1988
Judo for women was included as a demonstration sport in the Seoul Olympics. Women's judo is now an official Olympic sport

1990
Judo makes its debut as a Commonwealth sport at the XIV Games at Auckland, New Zealand