World Sword Swallowers Day 2013(01 of27)
Open Image ModalFeb. 23, 2013, marks the seventh annual World Sword Swallowers Day, a day when sword swallowers all over the world point out the contributions this ancient sideshow art has made to humanity. (credit:Ripleys.com)
George "The Gentle Giant" McArthur(02 of27)
Open Image Modal\"Being a sword swallower means being aware of the passageways in a way the average person is not,\" said George McArthur, a7-foot, 3-inch sword swallower. \"Once you learn the skill, you have to effect the various sphincter muscles down the throat and be aware so something doesn\'t go down the wrong passageway.\" (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day 2013(03 of27)
Open Image ModalSword swallowing dates back to around 4,000 B.C. and was invented in the southern part of India. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallower's Day(04 of27)
Open Image ModalLearning to swallow a sword can take years, because the person has overcome natural reflexes and learn to nudge the heart aside so the sword can go down the esophagus. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(05 of27)
Open Image ModalSome people think sword swallowers use collapsible swords, but that is not the case with the 200-or-so members of the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI). (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(06 of27)
Open Image ModalSword swallowers have made many contributions to humanity. In 1868, a sword swallower was used by Dr. Adolf Kussmaul in Freiburg, Germany, to develop the first rigid endoscopy, and a sword swallower underwent the first esophageal electrocardiogram in Wales in 1906. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowing Day(07 of27)
Open Image ModalWorld Sword Swallowing Day is always held on the last Saturday of February, which is National Swallowing Disorders Month. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(08 of27)
Open Image ModalThe participating swordsmen and women plan to raise money for esophogeal cancer research and a relief fund for injured sword swallowers set up by the SSAI. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(09 of27)
Open Image ModalSword swallowing can have permanent effects. Some practitioners report increased neck pain because they have to position it so a sword can go straight down. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(10 of27)
Open Image ModalAt 2:23 p.m. local time, sword swallowers will do a simultaneous swallow. (credit:Ripleys.com)
World Sword Swallowers Day(11 of27)
Open Image ModalSword swallowing is so rare that the performer usually perform solo, so the artists love the chance to work and meet other swordsmen and women. (credit:Ripleys.com)
Asia Ray(12 of27)
Open Image ModalAsia Ray, 20, is the youngest female sword swallower in the world. She learned to do it by first swallowing a coat hanger. (credit:Courtesy of AMC)
Morgue(13 of27)
Open Image ModalMorgue, a shock artist for the Venice Beach Freakshow, learned sword swallowing four years ago as a way to pay respect to the most ancient form of shocking people. (credit:Courtesy of AMC)
Brianna Belladonna(14 of27)
Open Image ModalBrianna Belladonna of the Venice Beach Freakshow said learning how to swallow a sword has helped her feel she can do anything. (credit:AMC)
Sword Swallowing On Huff Post Live(15 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing On Huff Post Live(16 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing On Huff Post Live(17 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing On Huff Post Live(18 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing On Huff Post Live(19 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(20 of27)
Open Image Modal (credit:Damon Dahlen/Huffington Post)
Sword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(21 of27)
Open Image Modal (credit:Damon Dahlen/Huffington Post)
Sword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(22 of27)
Open Image Modal (credit:Damon Dahlen/Huffington Post)
Sword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(23 of27)
Open Image Modal (credit:Damon Dahlen/Huffington Post)
Sword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(24 of27)
Open Image ModalSword Swallowing In The Huff Post Office(25 of27)
Open Image ModalWorld Sword Swallowers Day(26 of27)
Open Image ModalSword swallower Amy Amnesia at World Sword Swallower\'s Day at Ripley\'s Believe It or Not Hollywood on Saturday, February 23, 2013. (credit:Amy Lieberman)
World Sword Swallowers Day(27 of27)
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