Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
January 4, 1914 The F5, one of the first submarines to be acquired and operated by the Brazilian Navy, was launched at the Fiat-San Giorgio Shipyard in northwest Italy. This vessel was part of the Foca (known more simply as F) class, the Brazilian Navy’s original group of submarines. The F5, which had been built... Continue Reading →
December 28, 2006 In the Republic of Slovenia, a long-sought-after funicular railway in this European country’s capital city of Ljubljana first went into service. That means of public transit covers 230 feet (70 meters) between Krek Square, which is located near the Ljubljana Central Market; and Ljubljana Castle, a popular historic landmark that dates back... Continue Reading →
December 12, 2022 A high-speed railway in the southeastern part of Norway was formally opened. This railway covers 14 miles (22 kilometers) altogether between Oslo, Norway’s capital and most populous city; and Ski, a town in the municipality of Nordre Follo in the district of Follo. Harald V (born in 1937), who has reigned as... Continue Reading →
December 11, 1866 In Denmark, the shipping business DFDS was established as a merger of that nation’s three largest steamship companies. Those three companies were brought together as a single entity under the leadership of renowned industrialist and financier Carl Frederik Tietgen (1829-1901), who played a key role in the economic growth and prosperity of Denmark... Continue Reading →
December 4, 2007 A newly built tunnel in northeastern Spain’s autonomous community of Catalonia was inaugurated. This 3.3-mile (5.3-kilometer)-long tunnel is actually the second of two tunnels that are part of the N-230 road and connect the municipality of Vielha e Mijaran, capital of the administrative entity of Aran, with the comarca (administrative division) of... Continue Reading →
November 14, 1982 Manors Metro station in northeastern England’s ceremonial county of Tyne and Wear was officially opened. This station, which is located in the Shieldfield area of the city and metropolitan borough of Newcastle upon Tyne, is part of the region’s Tyne and Wear Metro light rail rapid transit system. Measuring a total of... Continue Reading →
November 9, 1922 More than three decades after being launched, the Norwegian ship Skomvær was retired from service. This three-masted barque was the first sailing ship in Norway to be built with steel. Measuring 257.4 feet (78.5 meters) in length, Skomvær also long held the record as the largest of all Norwegian vessels. Skomvær was... Continue Reading →
November 2, 1864 A newly completed railway in the Kingdom of Italy was officially opened. (The Kingdom of Italy existed from 1861 to 1946; it was replaced by the present-day Republic of Italy.) That 61.5-mile (99-kilometer) line connected the city of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna region with the city and comune (municipality) of Pistoia in the... Continue Reading →
October 27, 2008 In western Switzerland’s canton (member state) of Vaud, a rapid transit station was officially opened near the Place de la Riponne in the city of Lausanne. The Place de la Riponne is a historically significant grand square at the center of Lausanne, which is Switzerland’s fourth largest city and the capital of... Continue Reading →
October 19, 2006 The Celtic Gateway Bridge in Wales was opened for use. This stainless steel pedestrian and cycle bridge is located in Holyhead, the largest town and community within the Isle of Anglesey (a county off the northwestern coast of Wales). The Celtic Gateway Bridge was officially inaugurated by Andrew Davies (born in 1952),... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 