Thousands are celebrating in the streets of Ohio today after watching Robbie “Kaptain” Knievel make history last night.
The son of the late daredevil Evel Knievel successfully jumped over 24 delivery trucks Saturday night. And what made the event all the more poignant is that it took place at the site of one of Robbie’s father’s most famous stunts.
The 46-year-old daredevil told onlookers that he would need to be going 95 miles per hour at take off in order to successfully execute the 200-foot jump, which began from a three-story tall ramp.
Despite narrowly missing the tip of the ramp and taking a hard landing, Knievel didn’t suffer any injuries and gave the crowd a thumbs-up, before racing his bike back and forth and popping a wheelie for screaming fans.
Once officials saw Knievel was safe booming explosions and shooting flames were set off at Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati. Robbie’s father Evel made history at the same theme park in 1975 when he jumped 115 feet over 14 buses. That event still lives in TV infamy as it was watched by more than half of the nation’s television viewers.
Sadly, Evel Knievel didn’t live long enough to watch his son’s incredible stunt last night. He died last year at the age of 69. Prior to making his jump Robbie Knievel told spectators that he was dedicating his stunt to his father, U.S. war veterans and those serving in the military.
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, residents are also celebrating.
An unexpected surprise is putting Augusta, Kentucky on the map.
The city, which is home to a museum dedicated to George Clooney’s late aunt, singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, will now be the place film fans can travel to see a piece of movie memorabilia that was once destined for the Smithsonian.
Curators at the Rosemary Clooney House Museum say they just received word that the uniform George Clooney wore in the movie “Leatherheads” will be given to them to display.
The leather headgear and the rest of the football uniform, including the cleats and socks worn by George in the romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s professional football will be unveiled at the museum on June 7th. Clooney’s uniform will reportedly be placed among his aunt’s memorabilia and curators say they hope it will be the first of many more to come. Their goal is to accumulate at least one costume from each of George’s new movies.