I think my daughter would love today’s feature since she has been taking swimming lessons for four years now. On this date in 1827, the first swimming school in the United States was begun. Francis Lieber, a German-born philosopher and gymnast, was the one who started this school at the invitation and urging of the Boston Gymnasium. At first, this idea was welcomed, and even President John Quincy Adams went to check it out–so the story goes. But after two years, the school closed due to lack of interest.
For more info:
http://famousdaily.com/history/first-swim-school-in-america.html
http://every-day-is-special.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-23-2011-first-swimming-school-in.html
http://www.laytonswimming.com/historyofswimming.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Lieber
1 Comment
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I would have thought there would have been more interest. I wonder when it actually sank in that it would be beneficial and people started to take it seriously. Thank you for this. I love swimming and I don’t think I would have had the nerve to swim if I was not taught properly. I was grateful for the lessons and was very close to earning a life guard certificate as a teen.
Missy Bell
http://www.PeaceAndHappiness.com