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Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel; 100th anniversary on 6 August

Aug 6, 2026

The following photos have been selected for you by the IMAGO picture desk on this topic. For more pictures please use the search function.

  • RECORD DATE NOT STATED Gertrude Caroline Ederle was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder Gertrude Caroline Ederle (October 23, 1905 ? November 30, 2003) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder in five events. On August 6, 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel Editorial use only. All other uses to be cleared with the copyright owner (World History Archive), in advance., WHA_188_0520.jpg, Gertrude Caroline Ederle; American swimmer; Olympic champion; world record-holder; English Channel; first woman; historic swim; swimming history; female athlete; trailblazer; sports icon; aquatic achievement; record-breaking swim; water sports; competit Copyright: xWorldxHistoryxArchivex
  • Orig. caption... Gertrude Ederle, youthful American swimming champion, leaving Cape Gris Nez on her attempt to be the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Photo shows Miss Ederly entering the water for the long grind, with her goggles to protect her eyes from the continued irritation of the salt water, one of the most painful handicaps the Channel swimmer has to overcome, and the heavy coat of grease over the entire body to help her to combat the intense cold of the Channel water. Orig. caption... GIRL SWIMS CHANNEL IN RECORD TIME. For the first time in history the English Channel has been swum by a girl Miss Gertrude Ederle, the 18 year old American athlete. Miss Ederle reached the English coast from France in 14 1 2 hours, two Copyright: xXxXxXx CHANNEL SWIMMER
  • Orig. caption... GERTRUDE EDERLE SWIMS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. Miss Gertrude Ederly today, Aug.6, swam the English Channel in the record tome of 14 1 2 hours. She is the first woman ever to have gotten across. Photo shows: Miss Ederle being greased down by her trainer just before entering the water on her attempt to swim the Channel. Note Channel Swimming Swimming Swimwear Fat English Channel Swimming Sport Records Coach The first woman to swim across the English Channel See also BAO974 CD139 persons: Gertrude Ederle sites: FRANCE ;USA* sp_sw x5600x *** Orig caption GERTRUDE EDERLE SWIMS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL Miss Gertrude Ederly today, Aug 6, swam the English Channel in the record tome of 14 1 2 hours She is the first woman ever to have gotte Copyright: xXxXxXx EDERLE, GERTRUDE
  • NYC: TICKER TAPE PARADE. The ticker tape parade on Broadway, celebrating Gertrude Ederle s successful swim across the English Channel. Photograph, 1926. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 0525759
  • Parade along Broadway to welcome Gertrude Ederle home after swimming the Channel, 1926 (b w photo) 1766183 Parade along Broadway to welcome Gertrude Ederle home after swimming the Channel, 1926 (b w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gertrude Caroline Ederle (1905- 2003) was an American swimmer and Olympic champion who, in 1926, was the first woman to swim the English Channel. On her return home to New York she was greeted with a ticker-tape parade and a cheering crowd of over two million. ). Copyright: xBridgemanxImagesx 1766183