1806day.year
Construction is authorized of the Great National Pike, better known as the Cumberland Road, becoming the first United States federal highway.
In 1806, the U.S. authorizes construction of the Great National Pike, the first federal highway.
Congress approved the Great National Pike, also known as the Cumberland Road, in 1806 as America’s first federally funded highway.
It would stretch from Cumberland, Maryland, toward the Ohio River, facilitating westward expansion.
The road overcame challenging terrain through early American engineering feats like cuts and bridges.
Funded jointly by federal and state governments, it set a precedent for national infrastructure projects.
Pioneers and merchants relied on the route to transport goods and settlers to the frontier.
The Cumberland Road later became a symbol of the nation’s commitment to connectivity and growth.
1806
Cumberland Road
highway
1941day.year
The North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement goes into effect at 03:00 local time.
The North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement took effect, standardizing AM radio channels across the continent.
At 03:00 local time on March 29, 1941, the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) came into force, involving the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several Caribbean nations. The treaty realigned AM radio frequencies to minimize cross-border interference and designated clear, regional, and local channels. Broadcasters adjusted transmitters and expanded service areas, improving reception quality for millions of listeners. NARBA represented a landmark in international cooperation for communications infrastructure. It remained the governing framework for AM broadcasting until it was replaced in 1980. The agreement laid the foundation for modern radio standards and multinational frequency planning.
1941
North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement
1957day.year
The New York, Ontario and Western Railway makes its final run, the first major U.S. railroad to be abandoned in its entirety.
The New York, Ontario and Western Railway makes its last journey, becoming the first major U.S. railroad to be fully abandoned.
On March 29, 1957, the New York, Ontario and Western Railway completed its final scheduled train run.
Founded in 1868, the line once connected rural New York communities with major urban centers.
Declining freight revenues and competition from road transport led to its gradual financial collapse.
Its abandonment marked the first time a major U.S. railroad ceased all operations in entirety.
Track removal and asset liquidation followed shortly after the last locomotives departed.
The closure symbolized the broader shift from rail to highway transportation in postwar America.
Today, portions of the former right-of-way have been converted into recreational trails.
1957
New York, Ontario and Western Railway
2021day.year
The ship Ever Given was dislodged from the Suez Canal.
On March 29, 2021, after a six-day blockage, the container ship Ever Given was successfully refloated and freed from the Suez Canal.
The Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, had become wedged in the canal on March 23, halting a vital global trade route.
A coordinated effort of tugboats, dredgers, and salvage teams worked around the clock to remove sand and restore the ship’s movement.
The blockage delayed hundreds of vessels, highlighting vulnerabilities in international supply chains and maritime chokepoints.
Insurance claims and rerouted shipments underscored the economic ripple effects of the canal’s closure.
The successful dislodging on March 29 allowed maritime traffic to resume, reinforcing the Suez Canal’s critical role in global commerce.
2021
Ever Given
dislodged
Suez Canal