Today is the 168th day of 2012 and the 89th day of spring.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1884, the first U.S. roller coaster began operation at Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y.
In 1903, the Ford Motor Co. was incorporated.
In 1963, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
In 2000, the FCC approved the merger of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp. as Verizon Communications.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Stan Laurel (1890-1965), actor/comedian; Joyce Carol Oates (1938- ), novelist; Laurie Metcalf (1955- ), actress; Phil Mickelson (1970- ), golfer; Tupac Shakur (1971-1996), rapper; Abby Elliott (1987- ), actress/comedian.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1998, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1, winning the Stanley Cup and sweeping the championship series for the second consecutive year.
TODAY'S FACT: The Formula Rossa roller coaster at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, overtook Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., as the fastest coaster in the world in 2010, reaching a maximum speed of 149.1 mph.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "I never change, I simply become more myself." -- Joyce Carol Oates
TODAY'S NUMBER: 25 cents -- cost of one ride on the Cyclone, the legendary Coney Island roller coaster, when it opened on June 26, 1927.
TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (June 11) and new moon (June 19).