The summer of 1916 began with people fleeing the city heat for the Jersey Shore, seeking the promise of cool water and a carefree holiday. But beneath the surface, something was waiting. What began with a single bite would unleash a wave of fear, panic, and headlines that would forever change how America looked at the ocean—and decades later, help inspire the story that became the first summer blockbuster film. The shadow of that shark still reaches us today. Step into the water and discover the story behind the Philadelphia connection to JAWS.