Anaheim, California. Sunday, July 17, 1955.
Walt Disney is opening Disneyland, the park he spent more than 20 years planning, and America is watching it live on TV. About 70 million people have tuned in, in a country of 165 million.
In front of the cameras, Walt reads the dedication. "To all who come to this happy place: Welcome."
Behind the cameras, the happy place is coming apart.
The park had invited about 15,000 guests. More than 28,000 people are inside. It is 100 degrees, and the fresh asphalt on Main Street is going soft in the heat.
Before the day is over, there will be almost nothing left to eat. Rides will break down. A riverboat will end up stuck in the mud.
Disney's own workers would remember this day for years. They would not remember it fondly.
And Walt, busy with the broadcast, has no idea how bad it is.