1819day.year
SS Savannah leaves port at Savannah, Georgia, United States, on a voyage to become the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The steamship SS Savannah embarks on the first transatlantic voyage by a vessel using steam power.
On May 22, 1819, the SS Savannah departed from Savannah, Georgia, marking the world’s first steam-assisted crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The hybrid ship combined traditional sails with a retractable steam engine, allowing greater flexibility across variable winds. Captain Moses Rogers navigated the vessel through a 29-day voyage, stopping at the Azores and other ports for coal and provisions. While steam power was used sparingly to conserve fuel, the voyage demonstrated the potential of steam propulsion for long-distance maritime travel. Despite initial skepticism, the SS Savannah’s success paved the way for the steamship era, revolutionizing international trade and passenger travel in the 19th century.
1819
SS Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
steamship
1915day.year
Three trains collide in the Quintinshill rail disaster near Gretna Green, Scotland, killing 227 people and injuring 246.
Britain's worst rail accident, the Quintinshill disaster near Gretna Green, killed 227 people when three trains collided.
On the morning of May 22, 1915, a series of signal errors and scheduling mistakes led to three trains colliding at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green in Scotland. The accident involved an overcrowded troop train, a local passenger service, and a northbound express. Estimates put the death toll at 227 soldiers and civilians, with 246 more injured, making it the deadliest rail disaster in British history. Rescue efforts were hampered by wartime conditions and the remote location. The tragedy prompted a full public inquiry and led to major reforms in railway signaling and operational protocols. Memorials erected at the site honor the victims and underscore the importance of railway safety. Quintinshill remains a somber reminder of the human cost of technical failures.
Quintinshill rail disaster
Gretna Green
2012day.year
Tokyo Skytree opens to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on Earth after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).
Tokyo Skytree opened to the public on May 22, 2012, becoming the world's tallest tower at 634 meters.
On May 22, 2012, Tokyo Skytree officially opened its observation decks and broadcasting facilities in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. At 634 meters, it claimed the title of tallest tower in the world and became the second tallest man-made structure after the Burj Khalifa. Designed with state-of-the-art seismic resistance, it serves as a key digital broadcasting hub and tourist attraction. Visitors can access two observation levels offering panoramic views of Tokyo and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. The tower's opening revitalized the surrounding district and set new standards in architectural engineering.
2012
Tokyo Skytree
tallest tower in the world
Burj Khalifa