July 19, 1922 – This was truly a monumental moment in swimming history! American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to break the 1-minute mark barrier for the 100-meter freestyle swim. Weissmuller was like a torpedo as he swam the races duration recording a 58.6 second time at a pool in Alameda, California.
The talented athlete set numerous world records along with winning five gold medals in the Olympics for the US. Johnny won the 100m freestyle and the 4 × 200 m relay team event in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris and the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Weissmuller also won gold in the 400m freestyle, as well as a bronze medal in the water polo competition in Paris.
His Olympic fame and good looks had him cast into films in Hollywood including the 1932 movie of “Tarzan the Apeman” in which he developed the famous Tarzan yell that is still associated with the vine-swinging hero today.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.

More From Sports History Network

Is This Finally San Diego Padres’ Year to Win The World Series?
As the MLB playoffs heat up, fans across the nation are holding their breath,

1971 Kansas City Chiefs – Recapping The Season
Before we look back at the Kansas City Chiefs’ 1971 season, let’s review the

Replacing a Legendary Head Coach in the 1970s
On one of my recent posts on my Facebook page The NFL in the

TAKE THIS JOB and LOVE IT!!!
INTRO (JINGLE): AMERICAN TOP 40 CASEY KASEM (IMPRESSION): You’re listening to AT 40, coming

1967 Oakland Raiders (AFL Champions)
Before we break down the Oakland Raider’s 1967 season, let’s take a quick look

Remembering the Epic 2010 Formula One Season
In 2024, Formula One finds itself at a point that it hasn’t seen in

How Sports Podcasts are Enhancing Connections Between Fans and Athletes
The days when sports fans had to rely on live broadcasts and the next

Unforgettable Rivalries: College Football’s Greatest Showdowns
College football rivalries aren’t just games; they are spectacles that encompass history, pride, and