Moreholidays August Roller Coaster Day

                           

National Roller Coaster Day

Roller Coaster Day 2024

About National Roller Coaster Day

When is Roller Coaster Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 16

Life is like a roller coaster, filled with ups and downs. Sometimes it’s a little scary and intimidating, yet it’s oh-so exciting. It’s late summer and today is National Roller Coaster Day. Let’s not let this beautiful day go by without giving recognition to one of the great, summertime thrills. Gather the family. Text your friends. On this August 16 holiday, let’s go to the closest amusement park and ride a roller coaster or two. The more loops and vertical drops, the better! 

You’ll find people young and old riding roller coasters. You’re never too old to ride a roller coaster. This author had an aunt who rode them with joy well into her 80s! For some people, riding roller coasters is like a cult following. It becomes addicting. These thrill seekers travel the country, intent on experiencing every roller coaster they can find.

Several inventors created versions of the roller coaster or made notable improvements to existing designs. Among the notable inventions: The first known roller coaster was created in the 15th century Russia. It was made of a wooden car and was push-started down icy hills. In 1872, J.G. Taylor received a patent for an inclined railway. It was the first known roller coaster on rails. A few years late, in 1878, an Inclined Plane Roller Coaster was patented by Richard Knudsen.  On June 16, 1884, Coney Island, NY opened one of America’s first roller coasters. Designed and built by LaMarcus Thompson, it was known as a switchback railway. It costs a nickel to ride and traveled at 6 miles per hour. On August 16, 1898, Edwin Prescott patented the vertical loop roller coaster. Since these early days, roller coasters have only gotten faster and wilder.

Roller Coaster Trivia

  • The Kingda Ka coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey is the tallest in the world.
  • At 7,361 feet long, “The Beast” at Kings Island in Ohio is the world’s longest roller coaster. Yes, that’s over a mile long!
  • The loops on coasters are never circular. Rather, they have at least a minor oval shape.
  • The earliest coasters carried coal before they carried people.

How to Celebrate and Participate in Roller Coaster Day

 Food holidays are a culinary treat. Here are some ways to enjoy National Roller Coaster Day:

  • Throw away whatever plans you had for today. Hop on a roller coaster and enjoy the ride!
  • Ride a coaster you’ve never tried before.
  • Bring your friends along to enjoy the thrills.
  • See how many coasters you can ride today.
  • If you’ve ridden all of the roller coasters in the amusement park and you have more time until the park closes, go around a second time.

Today's Words of Wisdom

“Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you will start to see a big difference in your life.” – – Yoko Ono

History and Origin of National Roller Coaster Day

We did not find the creator of this day. He or she is undoubtedly a roller coaster fanatic. Of course, it could be an amusement park that created this holiday.

The date for this special holiday was selected as Edwin Prescott of Arlington, MA received a patent for the first vertical roller coaster on August 16, 1898.

We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation regarding this awesome and thrilling day.

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.



Related Holidays

People who like this holiday will also like:

Ferris Wheel Day

More August 16 Holidays

Here is another August 16 holiday for you to enjoy:

National Tell a Joke Day

More About Today

This Day in History

Famous August Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Lily of the Valley

Recipe of the Day: Grilled Eggplant

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