Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
March 13, 2023 A replacement bus station was inaugurated in northwestern England’s town of Ormskirk, which has achieved widespread renown as a producer of gingerbread and is located 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Liverpool. This town is part of the ceremonial county of Lancashire. The public officials who took part in the Monday opening... Continue Reading →
February 21, 2007 In central Greece’s administrative region of Attica (an area that includes the capital city of Athens), a railway station in the town and municipality of Vrilissia was opened to the public. This station is located on Vrilissia’s main thoroughfare of Pentelis Avenue. Pentelis railway station was officially inaugurated by Michalis Liapis, who... Continue Reading →
February 20, 1927 Just a little over two months after first being placed into service on a trial basis, the Leça Lighthouse on northwestern Portugal’s Atlantic coast was officially inaugurated. This lighthouse was built in the then-civil parish of Leça da Palmeira (now part of the civil parish of Matosinhos e Leça da Palmeira) in... Continue Reading →
February 12, 2010 Wilford Suspension Bridge, located in the city and unitary authority area of Nottingham in England’s region of East Midlands, was formally reopened at 12:30 p.m. to the public after an extensive restoration. This structure crosses the River Trent and actually serves as a combined suspension bridge and aqueduct. Wilford Suspension Bridge connects... Continue Reading →
February 5, 1906 Road racing cyclist Mariano Cañardo was born in the town and municipality of Olite in north-central Spain’s autonomous community and province of Navarre. After becoming an orphan at the age of 14, he moved with his sister to the city of Barcelona in northeastern Spain’s autonomous community and province of Catalonia. It... Continue Reading →
February 2, 1917 Mary Ellis, who would achieve renown for her achievements as a pilot during World War II, was born at Langley Farm in South East England’s village and civil parish of Leafield. As someone who grew up near a couple of Royal Air Force (RAF) bases, she developed a strong interest in aviation... Continue Reading →
January 24, 1911 Charles “Charlie” Barr, a sailing skipper whose accomplishments included service as a three-time winning captain of the America’s Cup, died in Southampton, England. He was 46. “Capt. Barr had appeared to be in perfect health,” reported the New York Times in his obituary. “He was having breakfast with his family when suddenly... Continue Reading →
January 19, 1964 Professional cyclist Firmin Lambot died in the municipality of Borgerhout in northern Belgium at the age of 77. (Borgerhout became a district of the city of Antwerp in 1983.) Lambot had been born on March 14, 1886, in the municipality of Florennes in southwestern Belgium. He began working as a saddler, someone... Continue Reading →
January 10, 1975 In West Germany (now part of the Federal Republic of Germany), a vehicular tunnel crossing under the Elbe River in the city of Hamburg was officially opened. Construction on the New Elbe Tunnel -- also called Elbtunnel -- had begun in 1968. Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015), who served as chancellor of West Germany... Continue Reading →
January 9, 1843 Industrial engineer and coal-mining official William Hedley died at the age of 63 near the English village of Lanchester. He was instrumental in harnessing the untapped potential and practical applications of railways. Hedley’s greatest contribution in this regard took place when, as a manager at a coal-mining facility near the city of Newcastle... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 