Michelle Obama Helps Break Guinness World Record for Jumping Jacks
It's official - Michelle Obama now holds part of a world record.
The First Lady lead the leaping at the White House back in October for a worldwide challenge to break the record for the number of people doing jumping jacks during a 24-hour period.
Having reviewed evidence from around the world, Guinness World Records can today confirm that 300,265 people across the globe participated in the attempt, shattering the previous record.
Organized in association with National Geographic Kids, the Let's Jump! event on October 11 saw Mrs. Obama join hundreds of school children from the Washington area to perform one minute of continuous star jumps in the grounds of the White House.
The event, which was attended by officials from Guinness World Records, signalled the beginning of the 24-hour challenge across the globe.
To set the new benchmark, more than 20,425 people needed to get on their feet and perform jumping jacks for one minute during the 24-hour time period.
The effort was organized by National Geographic Kids magazine in support of Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! initiative to promote physical fitness and healthy eating for children.
"This is a remarkable achievement," Michelle Obama said. "We saw 300,000 people getting up and getting active, 300,000 people getting their hearts thumping and their bodies moving, 300,000 people who worked together to make history. But we know that this isn't only about one day in October. It's not simply about jumping jacks or even a world record. We've got an even bigger goal to go after - ending childhood obesity in a generation, so that all our kids will grow up healthy and strong."
Commenting on today's news, Stuart Claxton, Guinness World Records adjudicator said: "It gives us great pleasure to once again welcome National Geographic Kids magazine into the Guinness World Records book,"
"Not only did it successfully organize the Most People Doing Jumping Jacks Simultaneously, but to do it with the first lady's Let's Move! initiative is a wonderful achievement, and we congratulate everyone who took part."
On hearing the news that the record attempt had been successful, Mrs. Obama took to YouTube for a special video message to her fellow record breakers which you can watch below.
"More than anything, I want to say thanks to every single young person who showed that exercise isn't just good for you, but that it's fun, too," Obama said.
The first lady led 464 children from local elementary and middle schools in Washington, D.C., on the South Lawn of the White House for a jumping jacks event, which took place from 3 p.m. EST Oct. 11 until 3 p.m. Oct. 12. Anyone from around the world could participate by doing jumping jacks for one minute. The effort was organized by National Geographic Kids magazine, which technically holds the record.
In announcing the news, Obama added that there’s still lots more work to be done in the battle against childhood obesity.
"This isn't only about one day in October," she said.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world.
(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
It's official - Michelle Obama now holds part of a world record.
The First Lady lead the leaping at the White House back in October for a worldwide challenge to break the record for the number of people doing jumping jacks during a 24-hour period.
Having reviewed evidence from around the world, Guinness World Records can today confirm that 300,265 people across the globe participated in the attempt, shattering the previous record.
Organized in association with National Geographic Kids, the Let's Jump! event on October 11 saw Mrs. Obama join hundreds of school children from the Washington area to perform one minute of continuous star jumps in the grounds of the White House.
The event, which was attended by officials from Guinness World Records, signalled the beginning of the 24-hour challenge across the globe.
To set the new benchmark, more than 20,425 people needed to get on their feet and perform jumping jacks for one minute during the 24-hour time period.
The effort was organized by National Geographic Kids magazine in support of Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! initiative to promote physical fitness and healthy eating for children.
"This is a remarkable achievement," Michelle Obama said. "We saw 300,000 people getting up and getting active, 300,000 people getting their hearts thumping and their bodies moving, 300,000 people who worked together to make history. But we know that this isn't only about one day in October. It's not simply about jumping jacks or even a world record. We've got an even bigger goal to go after - ending childhood obesity in a generation, so that all our kids will grow up healthy and strong."
Commenting on today's news, Stuart Claxton, Guinness World Records adjudicator said: "It gives us great pleasure to once again welcome National Geographic Kids magazine into the Guinness World Records book,"
"Not only did it successfully organize the Most People Doing Jumping Jacks Simultaneously, but to do it with the first lady's Let's Move! initiative is a wonderful achievement, and we congratulate everyone who took part."
On hearing the news that the record attempt had been successful, Mrs. Obama took to YouTube for a special video message to her fellow record breakers which you can watch below.
"More than anything, I want to say thanks to every single young person who showed that exercise isn't just good for you, but that it's fun, too," Obama said.
The first lady led 464 children from local elementary and middle schools in Washington, D.C., on the South Lawn of the White House for a jumping jacks event, which took place from 3 p.m. EST Oct. 11 until 3 p.m. Oct. 12. Anyone from around the world could participate by doing jumping jacks for one minute. The effort was organized by National Geographic Kids magazine, which technically holds the record.
In announcing the news, Obama added that there’s still lots more work to be done in the battle against childhood obesity.
"This isn't only about one day in October," she said.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world.
(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
