Annie Edson Taylor a widowed school teacher from Michigan made history on October 24, 1901 being the first person to take the daring plunge over the picturesque yet treacherous Niagara Falls. Various people have taken on Niagara Falls and all it’s furry from trapeze artist to barrel jumper all seeking a degree of fulfillment, at what cost? That is the risk these daredevils are willing to take.
While there were many daredevil acts before Mrs Taylor’s bold accomplishment, none quite so renowned, for no one had previously endeavored to drive themselves over the falls. Though Carlisle Graham had announced a few months prior he would journey down Horseshoe Falls he did not go forth with his plans. Annie was strapped into a Kentucky oak barrel that was held together by seven steal rings and packed with padding, the barrel was 34 inches in diameter through the middle and four and a half feet long. The lid was screwed shut and Annie was towed out by a small boat to the mainstream and released at 4:05 pm, several news people were on hand, ready to deliver Annie’s fate to the world. The barrel streamed toward the Canadian side and over the Horseshoe Falls. Mrs Taylor was in the barrel for 17 minutes after her frightening tumble down Niagara Falls, until it was close enough to the Canadian shores to be hauled in. The top of the barrel was cut away. Annie emerged scratched and bruised, very stunned but satisfied, quoted to have said “No one ought ever do that again.” She did try to cash in on her accomplishment, for it is documented that it was one of her motives for such a precarious act, however she was far from victorious. In lieu of money, for 10 years she held the honor of being the only person to ever go over the falls. She died a pauper twenty years later, at the still disputed age of 83.
Not unlike Annie Taylor numerous people tried a variety of different stunts seeking fame and fortune for there dare devilish ways, many paying with their lives. One of the most notorious people to take to the tight rope was Jean Francois Gravelot or better known as “The Great Blondin”, he was branded as the most bold and entertaining daredevil of all time, he was infatuated with crossing over Niagara Falls.
... blown up on top of a sign after a tire tractor blew up, she was petrified of the same thing happening to her.
During their western voyage, the group notoriously known as the “Donner Party” inevitably became trapped in a snowstorm in the winter of 1846 and 1847. Originally, the group set out for California in search of new opportunities. Figure 1 shows the path that the party followed to arrive in their set destination. After departing from Springfield, Illinois, the Donner’s first stop was in Independence, Missouri where they joined the rest of their traveling companions. The party had then planned on arriving at Fort Bridger to join another expedition, but they were too late and the expedition left without them (Johnson, 1). They left from Fort Bridger on July 31, 1846 using their own navigation skills in hopes of landing at their destination (Diamond, 2). When an unfortunate snowstorm hit, the group was left stranded. To make matters worse, they were split up between Truckee Lake and Alder Creek. They struggled during this time for they had few supplies and a limited food source. Of the 81 person party, only 45 survived the horrendous conditions (Johnson, 1). That number of casualties may seem fairly typical based on the condit...
Annie Oakley is regarded as the most famous and remembered woman from the western time period. She transformed the stereotypes that women were fighting against in the time period. Women faced pressures in their social and physical lives. Every thing they did was scrutinized by men and other women if not within the stereotype of a typical woman. Annie Oakley’s legacy after her death is that of a woman that stood out regardless of what others thought. She is remembered as the greatest woman shooter in history. She was “the first to create a picture of the cowgirl in the public mind” (Riley 34) Annie Oakley through her life and her accomplishments not only changed the stereotype of western women but also changed the way that women live their life.
Although the world refers to her as Molly Brown, those who really knew her called her “Maggie”. Margaret ‘Maggie’ Tobin Brown became well known around the world for her actions during the Titanic tragedy when the press first dubbed her the “Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Margaret’s other achievements in her life a lot of times go unnoticed, but this woman led a very accomplished life. Margaret was born in Hannibal, Missouri to Irish immigrants John and Johanna Tobin in July of 1867. The Tobin’s had strong progressive views that valued education, so Margaret went to school until she was 13 years old when she began work in a factory stripping tobacco leaves at Garth’s Tobacco Company in Hannibal.
Paul E. Johnson, with the help of painstakingly thorough research, tells the story of a drunken, deviant, death-defying daredevil that would create his own fame from his many daring stunts. This daredevil, Sam Patch, would become an American icon through folklore and storybooks for his magnificent jumps from the tops of waterfalls into the waters below. The book begins with a look into Sam Patch’s lineage. The most important of Sam’s ancestors’ was his father, whom was a drunkard and ultimately a failure to the family. He lost everything and left the family to fend for themselves. As a young boy, Sam began working in a mill, where he eventually became one of the best “mule spinners” in the town of Pawtucket. It was there that he and a group of other young boys his age began jumping over the Pawtucket Falls, a large waterfall in the town. They treated it like an art, and eventually became known throughout the town for their refined “style.”
She became a legendary markswoman of the American West and became famous for performing in the Buffalo Bill Wild West show later in her life. Annie’s fame as a hunter attracted the attention of Jack Frost, the owner of a hotel in Cincinnati. Frost invited Annie to participate in a live pigeon match against Frank Butler. In this competition, Annie hit all 25 of her targets while Frank Butler hit only 24 of his targets. This event was the first accomplishment in Annie’s road to fame. From here, Annie joined the Sell’s Brothers’ circus and performed exhibitions. Due to the dangerous equipment and poor living conditions, Annie led a strike against the circus. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show saw ambition in Annie and she joined their show instead. Annie performed in exhibitions that gave city dwellers a chance to see what the frontier life looked like. The shows contained real Indians, cowboys, cavalry troopers, rough-riding cowgirls, settlers in log cabins, bison, and stagecoaches. Annie also gave shooting lessons to ladies. In Annie Oakley’s time period, most women did not shoot guns. The women were expected to stay in the house, clean, take care of the children, and prepare the food. Annie was one of the first women to become famous for her sharpshooting and marksmanship
...rhart’s life was never answered. It satisfies some, to convince themselves a certain story or theory is true. Clues have been found, but many pieces of the puzzle are still lost. The death of Amelia Earhart, has continued to bring up women’s accomplishments, which is why many decide to abandon the questions, and leave Amelia wherever she is. Instead of focusing on the one event that brought her life down, people can remember her for all the records she set, the people she helped, and the events that made her life so distinct in the eyes of Americans. Walter J. Boyne, a retired United States Air Force officer, once said, “Amelia Earhart came perhaps before her time,…the smiling, confident, capable, yet compassionate human being, is one of which we can all be proud.” Earhart and her adventurous life will never be forgotten, and instead will be honored and remembered.
military. She had been walking for three days trying to get a ride but had no luck. First she left behind her two suitcases and then the food she was carrying. After that she tried very hard to
Earlier this year, Helen joined 30 other celebrities to take part in a nerve-wracking abseil from the 29th floor of London’s BT Tower. They were raising funds for Sport Relief 2014 and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. ‘It’s not until you get up there that you realise how high it is, so going over the edge was a bit nerve-wracking,’ said Helen. Helen’s descent lasted around 17 minutes. All celebrities were supported by the Royal Marines. Apart from wanting to help good causes, Helen, said she wants to use her celebrity status to help inspire others to test their own limits.
My sweat soaked shirt was clinging to my throbbing sunburn, and the salty droplets scalded my tender skin. “I need this water,” I reminded myself when my head started to fill with terrifying thoughts of me passing out on this ledge. I had never been so relieved to see this glistening, blissful water. As inviting as the water looked, the heat wasn't the only thing making my head spin anymore. Not only was the drop a horrifying thought, but I could see the rocks through the surface of the water and couldn't push aside the repeating notion of my body bouncing off them when I hit the bottom. I needed to make the decision to jump, and fast. Standing at the top of the cliff, it was as if I could reach out and poke the searing sun. Sweat dripped from my forehead, down my nose, and on its way to my dry, cracked lips which I licked to find a salty droplet. My shirt, soaked with perspiration, was now on the ground as I debated my
managed to cross the bridge in a modest time but she hit some trouble at the
Niagara Falls, one of the worlds greatest natural wonders, can only be described as breath taking. No matter what time of year, whether it’s the beautiful rainbows glistening in the mist, or the magnificent ice bridge created by the cold of winter, Niagara Falls always seems to amaze it’s viewers.
Skydiving has been around since ancient Chinese times as a form of aerial stunts. Leonardo da Vinci and the Chinese are both credited for creating the parachute, but it was really in the 18th century when France both created it and used it by basically throwing themselves out of planes. Little did anyone know that skydiving would be one of the craziest sports today. Jumping out of a plane two and a half miles up into the sky would not be someone’s idea of a normal day. As bad as two and a half miles up in the sky is, try doing it traveling at a rate of one-hundred and sixty miles per hour with just a parachute to save you. To many people this would be a nightmare; but to some of us, it is the biggest thrill of our lives.
She begins her weight in 1898 by stating “In the winter of ’98 I weigh 116 pounds”. Her weight further increasing by 39.5 pounds in the two years she was residing in Pennsylvania. The perception of beauty was in the late 1800 was that of a clenched waist yet plump a figure in which seemed to suit her 5ft 6” frame. Annie giving description of her weight was not only meant to flatter her soon to be husband, but also as a means to let him be aware of the higher standard of living that she is achieving. In saying this, Irish emigrants held a higher advantage over other European immigrants. They were of a stronger build, due to their staple diet of potatoes and buttermilk . However more crucial than their diet was the ability to speak English. This was a great advantage to Irish emigrants in America.
After three hours we arrived at our first break stop. We stopped at a section that was on top of the waterfall. The view was amazing and spectacular because we had never seen anything like this. As we continued our hike after several more break stops, and nine more hours of hiking, we finally arrived at the top of El Capitan. Once we got to the top the view was amazing. We could not imagine how beautiful it was up there on top of the world. After about half an hour we started heading back down, when all of a sudden out of no where I felt someone push me out of the way. A man that was in a hurry to get back down pushed me so hard, that I lost my balance and fell of a twenty foot cliff. At that moment in time I could see flashbacks of my life. After a couple seconds of falling I somehow landed between two rocks which shattered my right foot. After that happen every one that was there tried to get help but unfortunately cell phones do not work in Yosemite, but the man that pushed me over the cliff had a walky-talky and he called for help.