March 24

Mayor Robert Anderson Van Wyck laid the first stone for the New York Rapid Transit Railroad on March 24, 1900. This ambitious project aimed to bridge Manhattan and Brooklyn with an underground railway system. The new line promised to relieve overcrowded streets and foster urban expansion. Construction techniques developed for the project would lay the foundation for the modern New York City Subway. The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated a vision of improved mobility and economic integration. Work continued over the next decade, eventually transforming the city’s transportation network.

On March 24, 1999, a lorry transporting margarine and flour caught fire inside the Mont Blanc Tunnel between France and Italy. The combustible cargo and confined tunnel space ignited a severe blaze. Flames and toxic smoke spread rapidly through the 11.6-kilometer passage, trapping travelers. Rescue efforts were hindered by intense heat and poor visibility, resulting in 38 fatalities and multiple injuries. Extensive structural damage forced the tunnel’s closure for nearly three years. Investigations led to stricter safety protocols for tunnel transport, including enhanced vehicle inspections and fire suppression systems.

On March 24, 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525, en route from Barcelona to Düsseldorf, crashed into the French Alps. Investigators determined the co-pilot locked the captain out of the cockpit and intentionally initiated a fatal descent. All 150 passengers and crew aboard perished upon impact amid rugged terrain. The tragedy rocked the aviation industry and prompted a global review of cockpit security and mental health screenings. Airlines implemented rules requiring two authorized personnel in the cockpit at all times. Flight 9525 remains a pivotal case study in mitigating insider threats in commercial aviation.

The Jakarta MRT Phase 1, spanning 16 kilometers and 13 stations, began operations on March 24, 2019. It is the first underground urban rail line in Indonesia and aims to reduce traffic congestion in the capital. The system was built to connect Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta. Engineered to handle tens of thousands of passengers daily, it features modern rolling stock and automated signaling. The inauguration marked a landmark achievement in Jakarta's long-term plan to modernize its public transportation network. Ridership exceeded expectations in the first months, highlighting the strong demand for efficient mass transit.