This week marks the 35th anniversary of one of Knievel's most famous jumps

MILWAUKEE, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- A small-town kid from Butte, Montana, Robert Craig Knievel spent his early life aiming high and always wanting more. He started a semi-pro hockey team; he marched on Washington; he sold insurance; he opened his own motorcycle shop. Finally, he decided to become a motorcycle daredevil, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In just a few short years, Evel Knievel transformed himself into a master showman, marketer, and folk hero and became known as the World's Greatest Daredevil. By the 1970s, the world was fascinated by Knievel, watching as he pushed his limits and risked injury and death with every jump in exchange for the fame and fortune he so desired.

Many who grew up at the time remember watching Evel's daring jumps on TV and recreating their own inspired by him. Nearly 40 years later, Evel Knievel is still a household name.

This week marks the anniversary of Knievel's famous Wembley Stadium jump in London May 26, 1975. During this pivotal stunt, Knievel crashed while trying to land a jump over 13 buses, broke his back, and announced to 90,000 fans that he'd never jump again. Of course, though, he did jump again.  

Knievel was truly a larger-than-life character whose career embodied much of what the Harley-Davidson Motor Company has always stood for – adventure, freedom, and the American dream. In that spirit, the Harley-Davidson Museum announces "True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel," running July 10 – September 6.

The 10,000-square-foot exhibit will tell the story of Evel Knievel for the first time since his death through fascinating artifacts drawn from both the Harley-Davidson Archives and the Knievel family collection. Visitors will see legendary pieces including his signature leathers and cane, personal photographs and letters, collectors' toys and memorabilia, and the half-motorcycle, half-rocket "Skycycle" used to jump the Snake River Canyon.

The Museum will host "Untold Stories: An Evening with Kelly Knievel" on Saturday, July 17. Evel's oldest son will tell stories about life with Evel and share rare family photographs. Tickets are available on the Museum's website.

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Harley-Davidson Museum is an ideal summer travel destination. To learn more, visit www.h-dmuseum.com.

SOURCE Harley-Davidson Museum

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