Today in History: Duke Kahanamoku – Surfing & Swimming
Today in History–August 11–the Library of Congress features swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, also known as the “father of international surfing“, who broke the world record in the 100-yard freestyle swim by 4.6 seconds in Honolulu Harbor on this day in 1911. Kahanamoku went on to win numerous gold and silver medals in several Olympic Games and helped to repopularize surfing as a sport. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, the click the links below to access more primary sources.
Swimming
- Duke Kahanamoku images
- Duke Kahanamoku historical newspaper coverage
- Swimming image set
- Historical books about swimming 1878-1929
- Sports Byline USA broadcast with [swimmer] Natalie Coughlin 12-15-2008
- Historical newspaper coverage related to the sport of swimming
- Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: America’s Champion Swimmer Gertrude Ederle AASL Knowledge Quest
Surfing
- Surf & surfing primary source set
- Historical newspaper coverage related to the sport of surfing
- Even Royalty Surfs in Hawaii from America’s Library
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