„SERBIAN SOKO“ IN CLEVELAND, OHIO

The beginnings of Sokolism bind to the second half of the 19th century, namely to the Czech Miroslav Tyrš and its system of physical exercise. After the founding in the Czech Republic, Sokol movement began to spread in all Slavic countries as well as in those where Slavic nations lived. In this way, Sokolism arrived among Serbs who lived in America (USA), and they began to accept the idea of Sokolism in the mid-1907. In early 1909 began to appear the first initiatives for the establishment of Serbian Soko Societies. During 1909 two societies were founded, the in the next year five more, in 1911 three societies and in 1912 more than ten. In the second half of 1911 was established the union of Serbian Soko societies in America called Serbian Soko Parish in America (SSPA). Serbian Soko Society in Cleveland, Ohio, which is also the main subject of this research, was founded in the first half of 1912. The aim of the authors is to explore and present the exact date of the founding of this Society, the main initiators and founders, members and activities of the Society during its work. In this study authors used the historical method.