It was 115 years ago that 63-year old; Annie Edson Taylor decided to celebrate her birthday on October 24th, 1901 by going over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls on a similar day like today in a wooden barrel. She survived the trip sustaining only a minor injury to her head and became the first daredevil (and only second woman) to go over the falls intentionally.

She later told reporters the Civil War widow did so to gain fame and glory as well as put a bit of thrill in her life.

Riches eluded her but she did get her name into the history books. She is buried today in a pauper’s grave in a small cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York.

To date 15 people have intentionally went over the falls in some type of device. Five lost their lives in the attempt

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