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Written by ....posted by Frank David
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Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:14 |
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HISTORY
In the beginning...the Iroquois Indians believed that lacrosse was a gift from the Creator, and it is considered his favourite game; bringing much enjoyment to the Indian people.
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1636
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French missionary father Jean Brebouf describes “Le jeu de la crosse” as looking like a Bishop crozier
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1662
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French trader Nicolas Perrot first wrote of the game, stating the there were rules and that the game was played to three goals.
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1750
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Mohawks teach the game to French Canadians in Montreal.
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1763
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Ottawa Indians, lead by chief Pontiac, play lacrosse as a diversion and are able to overtake the British at Fort Michilimakinac.
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1797
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Col. William Stone observes a game between the Mohawk and the Seneca with over 600 players involved.
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1834
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Mohawks play lacrosse at St. Pierre Race Track in Montreal making it a popular spectator sport.
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1844
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First official game between the Iroquois and the Canadians started a seventeen year winning streak for the Iroquois.
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1856
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New rules developed as first lacrosse club formed in Montreal as stick becomes shorter and a smaller playing field is defined.
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1867
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Iroquois tour England to play lacrosse as Canada makes lacrosse their national sport.
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1875
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First English Lacrosse club formed in Stockport. Still exists.
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1880
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American team beats Canadian team for the first time. As Indians are banned from all international play.
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1904
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Canada wins Olympic Lacrosse Tournament.
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1913
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Women’s lacrosse begins in England.
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1932
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Iroquois play in Los Angeles Olympics.
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1967
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First World Lacrosse Championship won by Team USA.
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1971
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First NCAA national Lacrosse Championship won by Cornell
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1983
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Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Program founded.
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Lacrosse; an Ancient Game
To the Iroquois, lacrosse is a very important part of our social, cultural and spiritual heritage.
We believe that the game of lacrosse was given to us by the Creator as and enjoyable way to compete amongst ourselves and a way for the young people to demonstrate their athletic skills to the benefit of their communities. Lacrosse is a very ancient North American Indian game, played throughout the Northeast Woodlands. French missionaries first described the game in 1636, fascinated by the intensity of the game and the fast pace of the action. It was also described as a very important medicine ceremony.
Early games were played on huge fields, some of which were several miles long. The game was played until one team scored two of the three, or three of the five goals. Back then, a lacrosse game could take days to finish.
In 1750, Mohawk Indians introduced the game to the French Canadians at Montreal. By 1874, the Iroquois had toured England and Australia to promote the game of lacrosse. The ancient Indian game found new and eager audiences.
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