Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls ({{coor dms|43|4|54.68|N|79|4|19.5|W|}}), is a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River in eastern North America, on the border between the United States and Canada. Niagara Falls comprises three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (sometimes called the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the smaller, adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. While not exceptionally high, Niagara Falls is very wide, and is by far the most voluminous waterfall in North America.

The Falls in entertainment and popular culture

In October 1829, Sam Patch, who called himself The Yankee Leaper, jumped over the Horseshoe Falls and became the first known person to survive the plunge. This began a long tradition of daredevils trying to go over the Falls and survive. In 1901, 63-year-old Annie Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel; she survived virtually unharmed. Since Taylor's historic ride, 14 other people have intentionally gone over the Falls in or on a device. Some have survived unharmed, but others have drowned or been severely injured. Survivors of such stunts face charges and stiff fines, as it is illegal, on both sides of the border, to attempt to go over the Falls. Magician David Copperfield more recently added his name to the list of these daredevils, successfully travelling (or perhaps, appearing to travel) over the Falls in 1990.

Related Topics:
1829 - Sam Patch - Daredevils - 1901 - Annie Taylor - Barrel - David Copperfield - 1990

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Other daredevils have made crossing the Falls their goal. Starting with the successful passage by Jean François "Blondin" Gravelet in 1859, tightrope walkers have drawn large crowds to their exploits. Englishman Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, drowned in 1883 after unsuccessfully trying to swim across the whirlpools and rapids beneath the Falls.

Related Topics:
Jean François "Blondin" Gravelet - 1859 - Tightrope walker - Matthew Webb - English Channel - 1883 - Whirlpool

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Kirk Jones became the first person to plunge over the Horseshoe Falls without a flotation device on October 20, 2003. While it is still not known whether Jones was determined to commit suicide, he survived the 16-story fall with only battered ribs, scrapes, and bruises.

Related Topics:
Kirk Jones - October 20 - 2003

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In what some call the "Miracle at Niagara", Roger Woodward, a nine-year-old American boy, was swept over the Falls wearing only a life preserver in July, 1960. He was plucked from the roiling plunge pool beneath the Horseshoe Falls by tourists riding the Maid of the Mist boat. His survival, which no one thought possible, made news throughout the world.

Related Topics:
Roger Woodward - 1960 - Maid of the Mist

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Already a huge tourist attraction and favorite spot for honeymooners, Niagara Falls visits rose sharply in 1953 after the release of Niagara, a movie starring Marilyn Monroe. Later in the 20th century, the Falls was a featured location in 1980's movie Superman II, and was itself the subject of a popular IMAX movie. The Falls, or more particularly, the tourist-supported complex near the Falls, was the setting of the short-lived American television show Wonderfalls in early 2004. With the recent influx of more international tourists, annual visits exceeded 14 million in 2003.

Related Topics:
1953 - Niagara - Marilyn Monroe - 20th century - 1980 - Superman II - IMAX - Wonderfalls - 2004 - 2003

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On August 4th, 2005, professional golfer John Daly attempted to drive a golf ball over Niagara Falls, an approximate distance of 362 yards (331 m), falling just short in 20 attempts.

Related Topics:
August - 2005 - John Daly

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