On this day in 1901 Annie Edson Taylor on her 63rd birthday became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She went over Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the falls in a barrel 5ive feet high and 3 feet in diameter.Her entire trip took less than 20 minutes. What a way to celebrate your birthday.
Taylor had hoped that her stunt would bring her fame and money. She did get a lot of attention in the press for her stunt but she didn’t make much financially from it. She would die in poverty in 1921.
slicethelife 
I don’t know if you have ever been to Niagara Falls, its amazing. To survive a plunge in a wooden barrel is nothing short of a miracle. That gutsy lady was born in the wrong era!
I haven’t been to Niagara Falls in years but I agree- an amazing place..
If you haven’t been in years it may sadden you to know, at least on the Canadian side, it looks like a mini Las Vegas. The Maid of the Mist I’m thankful to report hasn’t changed a bit.
Just curious – have you ever been to Vancouver?
I’ve never been to Vancouver but have heard only great things about it. I need to go to Alaska. Maybe on the way to Alaska I can stop there for a few days…
Well if you ever manage to make your way to my neck of the woods let me know and we’ll go for a beer.
you are in Vancouver?
Yep. Vancouver has been home for the past 35 years.
I was raised on a farm in a small town 250 miles from Vancouver. Moved here when I was 18.Married 30 years, 3 kids, husband a lawyer, me – an event manager. How about you?
live in eastern ohio, a little over an hour from Pittsburgh, PA.. a history teacher.. been married to Mrs. Postcard..16 years…
I’ve never quite made it to Ohio. We drove from Vancouver to Chicago one year but swung south through Louisville Kentucky then west via St. Louis, Lincoln Nebraska, Salt Lake City and home.