When did the Paralympic Games begin?

I believe it started in 1976 at Ornskoldsvik the germane won with 23 medals 7 gold 10 silver and 6 bronze. America was not in those games the first time the were in the Paralympic games was in 1980 they won 6 medals they had 4 gold 1 silver 1 bronze they were tied in 6th with Canada. And the closest America got to 1st is actually 1st in 2002 Salt Lake City they got 41 they got 10 gold 20 silver 11 bronze.