1940day.year

Henry Larsen begins the first successful west-to-east navigation of Northwest Passage from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

On June 23, 1940, Captain Henry Larsen embarked from Vancouver to achieve the first successful west-to-east navigation of the Northwest Passage.
On June 23, 1940, Captain Henry Larsen and his crew set out from Vancouver, British Columbia, to traverse the Northwest Passage. Their mission was to chart and prove the feasibility of this legendary Arctic route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Larsen’s skilled navigation and systematic planning allowed the expedition to navigate ice-packed channels and shifting sea ice. The journey tested the crew’s endurance through extreme cold and isolation in one of Earth’s most demanding environments. Successfully completing the west-to-east crossing, Larsen achieved what had eluded explorers for centuries. His accomplishment reinforced Canada’s presence in the Arctic and advanced knowledge of polar maritime travel.
Henry Larsen Northwest Passage British Columbia
1951day.year

The ocean liner SS United States is christened and launched.

On June 23, 1951, the ocean liner SS United States was christened and launched, destined to become the fastest passenger ship across the Atlantic.
On June 23, 1951, the SS United States was formally christened and launched at the Newport News Shipyard. Designed for speed and luxury, the liner set transatlantic records on her maiden voyages. At nearly 1,000 feet long, the ship could carry thousands of passengers in unparalleled comfort. Built with potential conversion to a troopship, she nevertheless served exclusively in civilian service. The SS United States symbolized post-war American engineering and industrial strength. Decades later, she remains an icon of mid-20th-century maritime design and luxury travel.
1951 SS United States