June 16th: Today In History - Roller Coasters, Fugitives & More

On this day in history, there are quite a few interesting events that took place, and we have highlighted a few.

1884:First Roller Coaster in America

The Switchback Railway, the first roller coaster in America, opened to the public at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. For only 5 cents, visitors could experience the thrill of riding at the high speed of 6 mph.

Its creator, LaMarcus Thompson, made hundreds of dollars every day thanks to the thousands of visitors who traveled from everywhere in the country to experience this modern thrill. While this might not seem like a lot of money by today’s standards, every $100 represented 2,000 visitors, and Thompson averaged about $600 a day. 

1903: Ford Motor Company Incorporated

On this day, at 9:30 a.m., 12 stockholders, including Henry Ford, signed all the necessary paper to become an official corporation, and the Ford Motor Company was born. The company became officially incorporated the next day. The first car was assembled one month later in Detroit.

Henry Ford became one of America’s most prominent automobile makers. In 1908 the invention of the Model T or “Tin Lizzie” revolutionized the way people transported themselves across the country. Within 10 years, the Model T accounted for almost one half of the cars in the United States.

Henry Ford not only revolutionized the design of automobiles, but his creation of the assembly lines that manufactured cars more efficiently also took the industry by storm.

1965:Bob Dylan Records “Like A Rolling Stone”​

Named the #1 in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” took the world by storm during the 1960s.

The song was always unique, from its creation to its presentation to the public. The song runs a lengthy 6 minutes and 34 seconds, which made several executives weary of releasing it as a single. The song was able to reach its stardom after being presented to a prominent DJ who requested a master track after one night of playing. The song was an instant success with people everywhere.

The song was recorded over 15 times on June 16,1965. Its fourth version was the one selected for the master single. It held its position on the U.S. charts for 12 weeks. Its peak moment was reaching Number 2 on the list.

1968:Lee Trevino Wins His First U.S. Open

Texas native Lee Trevino began his career into golf stardom with his first win of the U.S Open on this day. He scored 275 for 72 holes, tying a previous tournament record.

Trevino began playing at the early age of 8 in a golf course near his home, eventually getting a job as a caddy at the same course. Trevino was forced to quit school and help support his family at the age of 14.

During his career, he won over 29 PGA Tournaments and 29 Tournaments on the Champions Tour. One of his most notable achievements occurred in 1971, when he won three National Titles and the U.S, Canada & British Open, a feat that had not occurred before he was introduced into the World Golf Half of Fame in 1981.

1999: SLA Member Captured After More Than 20 Years

Twenty-four years after serving as the getaway driver in a California bank robbery that resulted in the death of a customer, Kathleen Ann Soliah was arrested in St. Paul Minnesota.

Kathleen, or Sara Jane Olsen, was a member of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Her involvement with the group was extensive and led to an indictment in 1976 for participating in the placing of a bomb under a police officer's car. The SLA is most notoriously known for the kidnapping of Patty Hearst.

Soliah was incarcerated for her crimes, and after taking a plea bargain, was released in March of 2009. Solaih lived in Minnesota with her three kids and husband.