Who Was Ethelda Bleibtrey?

What an interesting name. By the way, don't tell me you've heard of Ethelda Bleibrey. It was on this date, Aug 25, 1920, that Ethelda became the first woman to win an Olympic medal for the U.S.

She had quite an interesting life. She was afflicted with polio and in 1919 she tried swimming without stockings due to her affliction. As a result she got cited for public nudity. Yes, bare legs in 1919 made you naked in the eyes of the law. She was just 19 when she won her gold medal in Antwerp.

If you google her name you'll find more interesting stories about her. It seems she was a bit of a rabble-rouser. Besides her public nudity news splash, she also had the gall to have her hair in a bob. We remember Gertrude Ederle, Mark Spitz, Esther Williams and others, but it seems Ethelda sort of got forgotten or lost in the shuffle.

It was also on this date that the National Park Service was founded in 1916. Next year will be a big anniversary it appears.

On Aug. 25, 1922, the Cubs beat the Phillies by a score of 26-23.

On this date in 1939 a movie made its debut in theaters. It was called "The Wizard of Oz."

In 1972 the first CAT scan was performed. It took place in Great Britain.