Today, on December 21, basketball’s birthday is being celebrated. Exactly on this day, James Naismith, a teacher at the College of the Youth Christian Association from Springfield, founded basketball.

On December 21, 1891, Naismith tied two baskets, in which peaches were kept before, to the railings of the gym’s balcony and, dividing eighteen students into two teams, suggested them a game that had a purpose to throw as many balls as possible into the opponents’ basket.

Basketball has been included into the Olympic games' programme since 1936 (James Naismith was there as a guest). Regular men’s basketball world championships have been held since 1950, women’s ones – since 1953, European championships – since 1935. Nowadays, millions of people all over the world and dozens thousands of people in Ukraine play basketball.

Our congratulations to everyone who loves this game! New victories and achievements! Stay dedicated to basketball!