National Treasure: The Life and Legacy of Evel Knievel, America’s Most Famous Daredevil

On the 50th anniversary of his iconic jump at Kings Island theme park, we’re celebrating Evel Knievel—a daredevil stuntman famous for his daring motorcycle jumps. Clad in red, white and blue, he became a 1970s icon of fearless showmanship. His legendary, gravity-defying stunts thrilled millions and inspired generations to chase the impossible. ___ A little more information: Born Robert Craig Knievel in 1938, Evel Knievel mastered the art of turning danger into entertainment. With his patriotic jumpsuit and signature swagger, he jumped over cars and buses, and he even attempted to hurtle across the Snake River Canyon. Crashes were frequent—Knievel allegedly broke over 400 bones in his lifetime—but that only added to his allure. He knew how to deliver a spectacle, whether it ended in success or fiery failure. On October 25, 1975, Knievel set out to accomplish his most daring feat yet at Kings Island theme park outside Cincinnati. In front of a massive live TV audience and 25,000 spectators, he soared over 14 Greyhound buses—a distance of 133 feet—and landed perfectly. It was his longest successful jump and helped cement his place in history. Knievel blurred the line between hero and madman, bravely riding into danger with style and bravado. He wasn’t just a stuntman—he was a symbol of fearless ambition. His Harley-Davidson XR-750 is an object from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American collection: https://www.si.edu/object/evel-knievels-harley-davidson-xr-750%3Anmah_1001261 It is currently on display at the “Nation of Speed” exhibition at the National Air & Space Museum: https://airandspace.si.edu/multimedia-gallery/523590368376e6b938700ojpg Fans can also revisit Knievel’s legacy at the Evel Knievel Museum, which will open in Las Vegas in April 2026. #evelknievel #evelknievelmotorcycle #harleydavidson #historyofevelknievel #extremesports Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@SmithsonianMagazine Learn more about Evel Knievel and his life here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/after-motorcycle-daredevil-evel-knievel-failed-clear-13-buses-jump-attempt-only-one-thing-to-do-180987464/ This woeful wipeout made Evel Knievel an instant legend: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/woeful-wipeout-made-evel-knievel-instant-legend-180967601/ Risk-taker Evel Knievel was a big proponent of wearing a helmet: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/risk-taker-evel-knievel-was-big-proponent-wearing-helmet-180961246/ For more videos from Smithsonian magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/original-series/ Get more Smithsonian magazine: Official site: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianmagazine/ X: https://x.com/smithsonianmag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SmithsonianMagazine/ Executive Producers: Nicki Marko & Brian Wolly Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens Producer & Editor: Sierra Theobald Motion Designer: Ricardo Jaimes Narrator: Adam Benavides