Daytona USA is an arcade racing game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega in March 1994. Inspired by the popularity of the NASCAR motor racing series in the US, the game has players race stock cars on one of three courses. It was the first arcade game to be released on the Sega Model 2, an arcade system board which was co-developed by GE Aerospace. AM2's Toshihiro Nagoshi (pictured) became the game's director and co- producer. Sega aimed to outperform Namco's Ridge Racer (1993). The developers researched motorsports extensively and mapped Daytona International Speedway. Daytona USA was a critical and commercial success, praised for its graphics, soundtrack and gameplay. A conversion was made for the Sega Saturn in 1995, and was followed by sequels and enhancements for consoles and arcades. Daytona USA is one of the highest-grossing arcade video games ever, and has been frequently named one of the best video games of all time.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_USA

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1984:

Aboard Soyuz T-11, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to be launched into space. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakesh_Sharma

1996:

A U.S. Air Force CT-43 crashed into a mountainside while attempting an instrument approach to Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, killing all 35 people on board, including Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Croatia_USAF_CT-43_crash

2009:

A gunman opened fire at an American Planning and Civic Association immigration center in Binghamton, New York, U.S., killing thirteen and wounding four before committing suicide. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binghamton_shooting

2013:

The northeastern section of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, experienced several flash floods that killed at least 100 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Argentina_floods

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

the organ grinder, not the monkey: (idiomatic) Synonym of organ grinder (“the person who is in charge, rather than a lackey or representative; the person truly responsible for another's actions”) https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/the_organ_grinder%2C_not_the_monkey

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity, that never dreads contact and communion with others, however humble. It is only spurious pride that is morbid and sensitive, and shrinks from every touch.   --Washington Irving https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Washington_Irving