The largest animal that has ever lived. The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have existed. During the 20th century, the species was an important whaling target and even after it was protected and commercial whaling stopped in 1964, exploitation efforts by the former Soviet Union persisted.
The Erie Canal is the place where the young United States, and its religiosity, ceased looking to the East and the past â Europe and New England â and began looking West and to the future â to a grand unfolding continent.
Boating On The Erie Canal. By Pat Piper. America's great canal system offers an inspiring history, friendly locals, a string of charming towns, and vast vistas that will make you want to stop, slow down, and in some cases, duck. Two bike riders in Parma, New York on what was once the towpath used by mules to pull canal boats.