Today In History: A House That Can't Stand on a Roller Coaster?

Illinois House of Representatives chamber

On this day in 1858, before he had been elected the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "House Divided" speech in the Illinois House of Representatives chamber in Springfield, Illinois. In attendance was over 1,000 Republican delegates and then-president Buchanan. Lincoln believed that Democrats had been forming a conspiracy after the Dred Scott case to make all states a slave state. He mentions, "what Dred's Scott's master might lawfully do with Dred Scott, in the free state of Illinois, every other master may lawfully do with any other one, or one thousand slaves, in Illinois, or in any other free state." From the quote which this famed speech is named, Lincoln also describes that, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," which describes the division between free states and slave states. Lincoln soon after this speech in 1860 became president of the United State and lead the Union to victory in the American Civil War.

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The Original Switchback Railway is Closed Today

June 13th, 1884, crews finished the construction of Switchback Railway in Coney Island. It was the first roller coaster designed for amusement parks. 3 days later, on June 16th, the ride was open to the public to ride. It was a six-mile-per-hour roller coaster that cost a nickel to ride. It pulled riders 600 feet along the tracks and lasted about a minute. The coaster was gravity pulled and catered to about 1600 passengers per an hour. Unfortunately, Switchback Railway was torn down and it is unknown how long the coaster stood and where its location was.

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Tom Seaver on the Cincinnati Reds

Tom Hughes

More no hitters were thrown on this day too! Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves no-hit the Pittsburg Pirates 2-0 in 1916. Tom Seaver of the Cincinnati Reds no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in 1978.

Tom Hughes pitched in the Dead Ball Era, where home-runs were scarce and low-scoring games were plentiful. Hughes allowed seven baserunners, the most in Braves franchise history to date. Hughes walked two, but one reached on an error and the other four baserunners are unknown (possibly a strikeout that the runner has reached base).

With a Hall of Fame Career with the New York Mets, Tom Seaver continued his strong career with the Cincinnati Reds and pitched his no-hitter in 1978. Seaver walked four and struck out four. Seaver finally pitched a no-hitter after two failed attempts broken up in the 9th inning, one of which would have been a perfect game.