Historical Events tagged with "passenger travel"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Transportation & Infrastructure

RMS Queen Mary Sets Transatlantic Speed Record

August 30th, 1936 88 years ago

The RMS Queen Mary won the Blue Riband by achieving the fastest transatlantic crossing while traveling from Southampton, England, to New York City, USA. The ocean liner completed the journey in just 3 days, 23 hours, and 42 minutes, showcasing advancements in maritime technology. This remarkable speed earned the ship the prestigious Blue Riband trophy, a coveted honor for passenger ships providing speedy transatlantic service. The crossing was part of its regular scheduled routes, demonstrating not just speed but reliability and comfort for travelers during the era of ocean travel.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Founding of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

October 7th, 1919 105 years ago

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded on October 7, 1919, in the Netherlands. This airline has the distinction of being the oldest airline still operating under its original name. Founded by Albert Plesman, KLM began with a focus on offers air transport for passengers and cargo. The airline’s operations commenced with early flights to Amsterdam and other European destinations, establishing itself as a pioneer in the aviation industry.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Deutschland Sets New Eastward Passage Record

August 13th, 1900 124 years ago

The steamer Deutschland of Hamburg America Lines made headlines when it docked in Plymouth, England after an extraordinary eastward voyage from New York. Completing the journey in just five days, 11 hours, and 45 minutes, the vessel set a new record for crossing the Atlantic, beating its own previous mark by over three hours. This achievement highlighted the advancements in maritime technology and boosted the reputation of the Hamburg America Lines as a leader in transatlantic travel.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Sinking of the Steamboat Brother Jonathan

July 30th, 1865 159 years ago

The steamboat Brother Jonathan sank off the coast of Crescent City, California, claiming the lives of 225 passengers. The vessel was on its route from San Francisco to Portland when it encountered rough weather. Despite the warnings about the stormy conditions, the ship continued its journey until tragedy struck, leading to significant loss of life and highlighting the risks of steamboat travel during that era.

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