In 1955, the name Taekwon-Do was chosen as the name of the national martial art by a board of instructors, historians and other prominent persons. The name was selected for its apt description of the art. Tae (foot), Kwon (fist), Do (art). Not only did this new name bear a close similarity to the ancient name TaeK Kyon, but also the name gave a new sense of nationalism to the art, whereas the prevalent name of Dang Soo connoted Chinese hand.
The years of research and development by General Choi resulted in the Chang Hun Style (open name of the author) of Taekwon-Do. Though this style is primarily based on Taekwon-Do. Though this style is primarily based on Taek Kyon, Soo Bak, and karate techniques, a myriad of techniques have been added, especially in the variety of hand techniques and perfection of foot techniques. The Chang Hum style is based on twenty-four patterns, each perfected and polished by General Choi Hong Hi and his colleagues, from the white belt pattern Chon-Ji, to the highest one, Tong II.

Important Dates

• 1945 – Liberation of Korea
• 1946 – Lieutenant Choi begins teaching to Korean military and some American
• 1949 – Colonel Choi gives martial arts demonstrations at Fort Riley, Kansas
• 1950 – Korean War
• 1951 – Korean War ends: some Tae Kyon masters missing in action
• 1952 – Martial Arts demonstration before Korean President Rhee
• 1954 – 29th Infantry organized on Che Ju Island as spearhead of the art in the Korean Military
• 1955 – Korean Board formally gives the name “TaeKwon-Do” to the art
• Early – TaeKwon-Do masters begin travelling to the United Nations building; Masters sent to teach Vietnamese troops unarmed combat
• Middle 60’s – Expansion continues to Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and Canada
• 1966 – International Taekwon-Do Federation formed with many Nations as members
• 1968 – Taekwon-Do topics at Paris International Sports Symposium
• 1973 – World Taekwon-Do Federation formed in Seoul