swimming
"People said women couldn't swim the Channel, but I proved they could."
#OTD in 1926.
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
In August 1919 in Indianapolis, she became the youngest woman ever to set a world swimming record when she posted a new best for the 880y freestyle. She set a total of nine world records and seven of them came during the course of a 500m swim at Brighton Beach, New York, in 1922.
If you live in NYC, the city is offering free swimming lessons (via lottery), for all age groups.
"Knowing how to swim is a valuable skill that can improve your health and fitness, and even help save your life."