On this day in history, July 20, 1968, the first Special Olympics Summer Games are held in Chicago

Athlete Aarushi Pratap and Special Olympics Florida CEO Sherry Wheelock share the inspiration behind the new logo design for the 2022 USA games.

On this day in history, July 20, 1968, athletes competed in the first Special Olympics International Games — now the largest sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities, according to National Geographic. 

The first Special Olympics International Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. 

About 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from the United States and Canada competed in the first Special Olympics International Summer Games in Chicago, the Special Olympics’ official website noted. 

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The Special Olympics were developed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of President John F. Kennedy.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Kennedy Shriver decided to take action when she noticed the unjust treatment of people who developed and learned more slowly or differently because of cognitive issues out of their control, noted the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver is shown at her wedding to Sargent Shriver in 1953. She developed the Special Olympics, helping to launch them in Chicago on July 20, 1968: "The Opening Ceremony included a teen runner carrying a torch to light a 45-foot-high John F. Kennedy Flame of Hope." (Getty Images)

She drew inspiration directly from her intellectually disabled sister, Rosemary, the same source indicated.

"The Opening Ceremony included a teen runner carrying a torch to light a 45-foot-high John F. Kennedy Flame of Hope. Over 200 events were offered, including broad jump, softball throw, 25-yard swim, 100-yard swim,