Mark Twain’s first national success as a writer came with “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The legend goes that during a 1865 storm in Angels Camp, California, Twain was waiting out the inclement weather at the Angels Hotel saloon when the bartender entertained his captive audience with the tale of a local man’s jumping frog. From that account, Twain spun out his celebrated short story. Decades later, in 1928, as the town looked for a way to celebrate the paving of its roads, the frog jump competition was started. It’s now one of Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee’s staple events. Every year, frog “jockeys” train their frogs for their chance at glory. The frogs get three jumps and the frog that lands the farthest from the launch pad on the day of the finals wins the competition. #Americashomecoming #CalavarasCounty #frogjump #California #MarkTwain