First Roller Coaster in America Opens
On June 16, 1884, the first commercial roller coaster in America, known as the Switchback Railway, opened to the public at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Designed by LaMarcus Adna Thompson, this early thrill ride was quite modest by modern standards, traveling at just six miles per hour, but it sparked America’s interest in […]
Harry Truman is Born
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. Rising from a modest upbringing to the highest office in the land, Truman’s presidency is noted for its critical decisions during tumultuous times, including the ending of World War II and the beginning of the Cold […]