The idea came to fruition when Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey proclaimed the first AAU Junior Olympic Games open on August 21, 1967, in downtown Washington, D.C., at the Departmental Auditorium on Constitution Avenue. Five hundred twenty-three athletes competed in the inaugural AAU Junior Olympic Games that year.
The concept of the AAU Junior Olympic Games was realized when Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey declared their opening on August 21, 1967, at the Departmental Auditorium on Constitution Avenue in downtown Washington D.C., with 523 athletes participating.