July 03

Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs, SS United States was launched to exemplify American maritime engineering excellence. On July 3, 1952, she departed New York for Southampton on her inaugural crossing. During the voyage, the liner achieved an average speed surpassing that of the RMS Queen Mary, earning the prestigious Blue Riband. SS United States combined powerful turbine engines with an ultralight hull to reach unprecedented velocities. Passengers enjoyed luxurious accommodations and cutting-edge safety features, reflecting postwar optimism. Her record-setting performance remains unbeaten by any passenger vessel to this day.

Completed on July 3, 1988, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge became the second suspension bridge to span Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait, linking Europe and Asia by road. Named after the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the bridge measures 1,510 meters in length and carries six lanes of traffic. Its construction alleviated congestion on the first Bosphorus Bridge and supported Istanbul’s rapid urban growth. Designed by an international engineering consortium, it incorporated advanced seismic protections for the earthquake-prone region. Since its inauguration, the bridge has served as a vital artery in Turkey’s transport network and a symbol of Istanbul’s transcontinental identity.