On This Day

Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his own world pole vault record (6.10 m) in Malmö, Sweden

Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar.

Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar. Pole jumping was already practiced by the ancient Egyptians, ancient Greeks and the ancient Irish people, although modern pole vaulting, an athletic contest where height is measured, was first established by the German teacher Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths in the 1790s. It has been a full medal event at the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and since 2000 for women.

It is typically classified as one of the four major jumping events in athletics, alongside the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Historical Significance

Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar.

Events Before

  1. Alan Hale Jr. dies

    Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.

  2. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

    Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

  3. NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

    NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

  4. John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

    John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

  5. Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

    Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

Events After

  1. Grace Hopper dies

    Grace Hopper, American u.s. naval officer and computer scientist, known for u.s. naval officer and computer scientist, died on 1992-01-01.

  2. MLB baseball right fielder Sammy Sosa (23) weds Sonia Rodriguez

    MLB baseball right fielder Sammy Sosa (23) weds Sonia Rodriguez

  3. The Maastricht Treaty is signed by 12 countries from the European Community (EC) to create the European Union (EU)

    The European Union is a geo-political entity, created in 1993, covering a large portion of the European continent.

  4. American record producer Lou Adler (58) weds American actress Page Hannah (27) (Daryl's sister)

    American record producer Lou Adler (58) weds American actress Page Hannah (27) (Daryl's sister)

  5. NHL players begin first strike in 75-year history; 10 day action earns large playoff bonus increase, more control over l

    NHL players begin first strike in 75-year history; 10 day action earns large playoff bonus increase, more control over licensing of their likenesses and changes to free agency system

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 5, 1991?
Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar. Pole jumping was already practiced by the ancient Egyptians, ancient Greeks and the ancient Irish people, although modern pole vaulting, an athletic contest where height is measured, was first established by the German teacher Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths in the 1790s. It has been a full medal event at the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and since 2000 for women.
Why is Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his own world pole vault record (6.10... significant?
Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar.

Explore More