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
Jack Glynn: Teenage General Manager For Chicago Cardinals
In the early years of the 20th century before the start of the National
Super Bowl XLIV (New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLIV, which was held on February 7, 2010, at
What Are the Odds? Giants and Jets Make Unwanted History at MetLife Stadium
The start of the 2024 NFL season has seen somewhat underwhelming performances from both
1977: The Year of the First-Ever Denver Broncos Playoff Game
It was certainly a long wait, but in 1977, the wait was finally over.
Marc Mero Was Better Known To Wrestling Fans As Johnny B. Badd
The rock ‘n’ wrestling connection I want to talk about today has nothing to
Sports History On This Day: September 29
September 29, 1914 – The Boston Braves, a team that was in last place in
Remembering Michael Andretti’s Magical CART Championship Season (1991)
1991 was a great year for the Newman-Haas Racing Team. Our driver, Michael Andretti,
Sports History On This Day: September 28
September 28, 1920 – A dark day in baseball, but also one that started to