Sports in America

Introduction

Native American peoples played a variety of ball games including some that may be viewed as earlier forms of lacrosse. But today's ball games arose from children's bat-ball and foot-ball games that were brought to America by the first settlers that arrived from Europe in the 17th century. These games were re-fashioned and elaborated in the course of the 19th century and eventually became the typical American sports of baseball, basketball and football. In their current forms these are the most popular sports in the United States. Of course, Americans engage in many other athletic activities as well, but these games still occupy a special place in the American sports scene.

See Also: 

About the USA: Society - Native Americans
About the USA : U.S. History - Early America
About the USA: U.S. History - The Colonial Period