Charles Blondin

Niagara Falls

Charles Blondin, aka Jean Francois Gravelet, crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope on this date in 1859. Some 5,000 spectators watched as the man known as "The Little Wonder" made the 1100 ft/335 m walk, 160 ft/49 m above the water. Blondin repeated the feat several more times, simultaneously performing other stunts, e.g., walking on stilts, blindfolded, and stopping midway to sit on the tightrope and prepare and eat an omelet.

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From our Archives: Today's Highlights, June 30, 2005