"Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General" ("Physical Activity and Health"; United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996) documented for the first time the cumulative body of evidence related to physical activity and health. This report completed the set of Surgeon General's reports related to the three leading behavioral causes of morbidity and mortality among adults: tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. The important message of "Physical Activity and Health" was that greater participation in at least a moderate level of physical activity would reap significant benefits for both personal and public health. Important conclusions of this report that related to children and adolescents were regarding their insufficient participation in physical activity, their declining enrollment in daily physical education, factors influencing their participation in physical activity, and evidence of the success of physical education in increasing their physical activity. The purpose of this article is to discuss the historical role of physical education in public health, major public initiatives to promote physical activity, the impact of "Physical Activity and Health" on physical education programs, and challenges and opportunities for physical education and other school physical activity programs to increase physical activity.