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The Top Coasters! Today Is “National Roller Coaster Day”! – Hank

hmorse August 16th, 2017
370794 01: Park goers enjoy "Superman-Ride of Steel," a new roller coaster which features a record setting 221 foot drop at Six Flags Amusement Park June 9, 2000 in Agawam, MA. Six Flags New England opened in May 2000, making the theme park the largest in the Northeast. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Newsmakers)

It’s one of the great joys of childhood! Riding roller coasters! I went on my first roller coaster when I was 9 or 10. The Medford Recreation Department organized a trip for kids during summer vacation to go to Lincoln Park in Rhode Island. I begged my parents to go and they finally relented, with one condition. I was NOT to go on their rickety old roller coaster. First thing I did: I went on that rickety old roller coaster and I LOVED it! I was hooked!

So, today is “National Roller Coaster Day” across America! Buckle up, hang on and SCREAM!!!

First roller coaster in America opens - Jun 16, 1884 - HISTORY.com

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.

If terror is what you look for in a roller coaster, these are the best out there

Maria Mora is a freelance writer and single mom fueled by coffee, questionable time management skills, toaster oven waffles and the color orange. She lives in Florida with her two young sons. If you see her on Twitter, tell her to stop p...

New England's top roller coasters

This classic wooden coaster, built in 1930, originated at Lakewood Park in Waterbury, Conn. before moving to Canobie in 1936. Ity has sustained both a hurricane and a fire only to be rebuilt in both cases and continues to run today at 83 years old.

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