Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September. This year the celebration will take place on 26 September 2015.
Eunice Kennedy’s Shriver adored her sister Rosemary who had an intellectual disability. Rosemary was admitted to an institution in her twenties where she stayed until her death in her mid-eighties.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver with her brother John F Kennedy, 1941.
Where it all began! When Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver hosted Camp Shriver in 1962 in her own backyard the seed for the Special Olympics global movement was planted. It now supports 4.8 million athletes from 177 countries.
Fun at Camp Shriver in 1962.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the Opening Ceremony of the first Special Olympics International Games in Chicago in 1968 where 1,000 athletes from 26 US states and Canada competed in aquatics, athletics and floor hockey. Although the press largely ignored it, Eunice made sure it was a first-rate, well-organised event.
“In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Today, all of you young athletes are in the arena. Many of you will win. But even more important, I know you will be brave and bring credit to your parents and to your country.�
24 October 1963. After signing the Maternal Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Bill, President Kennedy hands one of the signing pens to his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. White House, Cabinet Room.
Special Olympics wouldn’t be Special Olympics without a disco!
Muhammad Ali and Eunice Kennedy Shriver during 1979 Special Olympics at SUNY Brockport Campus in Brockport, New York, United States.
Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver enjoy the festivities during Nelson Mandela’s 84th birthday celebration. Special Olympics partnered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund for the celebration in Polokwane. (undated photo from the SOI archives)
Eunice Kennedy’s Shriver with daughter Maria at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007, her last World Games before her death in August 2009.