Mankind Breaks the Four Minute Mile this Day in 1954

There was a time when they said it couldn't be done; man cannot break the four minute mile. Then on this day, May 6th, 1954, Roger Bannister proved them all wrong.

I personally have a goal of one day breaking the ten minute mile. For those in the "real" sporting world, though, the four minute mile became a reality 59 years ago today. When it was finally achieved, it was done without much room to spare. As a matter of fact, the first time an the four minute mile was broken it was done only .6 seconds shy of four minutes.

Of course, like with anything, there are those who claimed they did it first. Some will maintain the first mile run under four minutes was accomplished by James Parrot in London on May 9th, 1770. While sporting authorities at the time felt the report was accurate, it is not recognized by the modern sporting world.

Bannister went on to become the first recipient of the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" award in 1995. In 1984, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Bath.