On this day in 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island,
in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild
of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost
a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the
turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country.

                         
LaMarcus Adna Thompson                                               Nickel
(March 8, 1848 – May 8, 1919)

(Fox News) – Babe Ruth’s New York Yankees Opens a New Window. jersey from 1928-1930 sold at auction on Saturday for $5.64 million,
setting setting the record for the most expensive piece of sports
memorabilia ever sold. The gray road uniform was one of more than
400 items that Ruth’s family and other collectors supplied for the
auction at Yankee Stadium. Ruth’s granddaughter, Linda Ruth
Tosetti, said in a statement that a portion of the proceeds will go
to charity.

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