First Corvette…..
June 30, 1953…..
The first Chevrolet Corvette is produced. It was the first plastic-laminated fiberglass sports car. White with red interior and black top was the only color combination offered. It was only offered with a six cylinder engine and the side windows were removable, as opposed to roll-up windows and it didn’t have exterior door handles. Three hundred were produced with a base price of $3,498.
Tacoma Bridge Collapse……
July 1, 1940…..
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is opened to the public. It would dramatically collapse four months later. It was located in the U.S. state of Washington and was the word’s third-longest suspension bridge at the time. Even while being constructed, winds caused the bridge to sway with the workers calling it the Galloping Gertie. The following November during 40 mph (64 km/h) winds, the bridge began oscillating in an alternating twisting motion that gradually increased in amplitude until the deck tore apart.
President Garfield Assassination…..
July 2, 1881…..
U.S. President James A. Garfield is shot and mortally wounded by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau believed he deserved an appointed position due to his support of Garfield’s presidential campaign. When that didn’t happen, he decided to kill the President. Garfield died in September after extensive medical treatment. Guiteau was apprehended at the shooting and was tried and hanged for his crime.