On This Day: A 63-year-old woman barrelled over Niagara Falls

Imagine celebrating your 63rd birthday by climbing into a wooden barrel and plunging over Niagara Falls. It sounds impossible, but 125 years ago today, one remarkably determined woman did exactly that, and lived to tell the tale.

On October 24, 1901, American schoolteacher Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

At 63, the widowed teacher was struggling financially and hoped a daring publicity stunt might bring her fame and fortune.

Her plan was certainly ambitious. She commissioned a specially reinforced wooden barrel, lined it with cushioning, and arranged for assistants to release her into the Niagara River above the mighty Horseshoe Falls.

As horrified spectators watched, the barrel was swept towards the edge before disappearing into the swirling mist below.

Some 20 minutes later, rescuers pulled Annie from the barrel. Battered and bruised, with a small cut to her head, she had survived the 51-metre plunge.

The stunt made headlines, but the riches she hoped for never materialised. She spent much of her remaining life trying to earn money from her extraordinary achievement.

Nevertheless, her place in history was assured. At an age when many women of her generation were expected to live quietly, Annie had accomplished something no one had done before.

The first glimpse of Earth from space

On October 24, 1946, scientists captured the first photograph of Earth from space, 80 years ago today.

A camera mounted aboard a captured German V-2 rocket took the historic images from approximately 105 kilometres above New Mexico.

The rocket crashed back to Earth, but remarkably, the film survived.

More than a decade before the first satellite entered orbit, humanity had its first photographic glimpse of our planet from beyond the atmosphere.

Farewell to the world’s fastest passenger jet

On October 24, 2003, Concorde made its final commercial passenger flight, travelling from New York to London.

The supersonic aircraft, famous for its pointed nose and remarkable speed, had carried celebrities and wealthy travellers across the Atlantic for nearly three decades.

Among those aboard the farewell flight were actress Joan Collins and model Christie Brinkley.

Thousands gathered at London’s Heathrow Airport to witness the end of an extraordinary chapter in aviation history.

Born on this day

Bill Wyman turns 90 today. The former Rolling Stones bassist helped create the unmistakable sound of hits including Paint It, Black and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline turns 79. Audiences will remember him from A Fish Called Wanda, Sophie’s Choice and Dave.

And F. Murray Abraham turns 87. He won an Academy Award for his unforgettable portrayal of composer Antonio Salieri in the 1984 film Amadeus.

Do you remember?

Would you have dared to follow Annie Edson Taylor over Niagara Falls at 63, or would you have been much happier watching safely from the banks?