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 idea for the AAU Junior Olympic Games came to life when Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey officially opened them on August 21, 1967, at the Departmental Auditorium on Constitution Avenue in downtown Washington D.C., with 523 athletes participating.