Jack Johnson

John Arthur ("Jack") Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the "Galveston Giant," was an American boxer. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). In a documentary about his life, Ken Burns notes, "for more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth. 

Source: wikipedia | Library of Congress, Bain Collection

John Holtum

“John Holtum, ( October 29, 1845 -  1919) was a strongman from Denmark who drew immense crowds in  cities around the world by perfecting the cannonball catch. With Holtum on one side of the stage and a cannon on the other, an assistant would fire a fifty pound ball which Holtum caught with his gloved hands and  chest. The feat required immense strength, steely nerves and lightning fast reflexes. Several skeptics questioned the legitimacy of his act but were convinced after Holtum brought them on stage for art da demonstration. Holtum appeared before Royalty in Europe and was a great success in the U.S. as well."

Source: vintagemeohmy | thehumanmarvels

Marjorie Gestring

Olympic High Diving Champion, Marjorie Gestring.

By John Gutmann, 1936.

Source: holdthisphoto