The 1996 United States Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health represents a watershed moment in the modern history of physical activity and public health. Based on a compelling body of scientific evidence from the fields of medicine, epidemiology, physiology, and health psychology, the Surgeon General's report proclaimed that people of all ages could improve their health and quality of life through lifelong practice of moderate physical activity (United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996). The purpose of this article is to discuss the status of school physical education since the release of the Surgeon General?s report on physical activity and health nearly a decade ago. Specifically, the article will address four questions: (1) What has been the historical role of physical education in physical activity and public health? (2) What impact, if any, has the Surgeon General?s report has had on physical education programs? (3) What impact should physical education have on public health and physical activity? and (4) What should teacher education programs in physical education do to prepare physical education teachers, given the current role of physical education? (Contains 6 figures and 1 table.)