Niagara Falls Live Cam

History

Niagara Falls, located on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA, has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. The falls themselves were formed over 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, when retreating glaciers carved out the Great Lakes and the Niagara River. The natural wonder comprises three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, the largest and most famous; the American Falls; and the smaller Bridal Veil Falls. Together, they create one of the most iconic natural attractions in the world.

The Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Iroquois Confederacy and the Neutral Nation, were the first to discover and honor the grandeur of Niagara Falls. They regarded the falls as a sacred place, with spiritual significance tied to their mythology and rituals. European exploration of the area began in the 17th century when French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in 1604. However, it wasn’t until Father Louis Hennepin, a Belgian missionary, documented the falls in 1678 that their existence became widely known in Europe.