September 27

Events - Transportation & Infrastructure

1825day.year

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon to Darlington to Stockton.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway inaugurates the first public steam-hauled railway. The Locomotion engine carries coal and passengers to commemorate the opening.
On September 27, 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England opened as the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. The Locomotion No. 1 engine hauled coal wagons and passenger carriages from Shildon to Stockton via Darlington. Designed by George Stephenson, this milestone demonstrated the feasibility of steam transport for industrial and public use. The success of the event spurred rapid expansion of rail networks across Britain and beyond. It revolutionized transportation, industry, and the pace of economic growth in the 19th century.
1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway Locomotion Shildon Darlington Stockton
1938day.year

The ocean liner Queen Elizabeth is launched in Glasgow.

One of the largest ocean liners of its era, RMS Queen Elizabeth was launched in Glasgow, ushering in a new age of transatlantic travel.
Built by John Brown & Company and launched at Clydebank on 27 September 1938, the RMS Queen Elizabeth set new standards for ocean travel. At over 1,000 feet in length, she was the largest passenger ship of her era. Designed for luxury, the liner featured elegant public rooms and cabins for over 2,000 passengers. Requisitioned by the British government in 1940, she served as a troopship in World War II, moving hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Nicknamed the Grey Ghost, she played a vital role in the Allied war effort before returning to commercial service in 1946. Resuming transatlantic voyages, she carried notable figures and travelers until her retirement in 1968.
1938 Queen Elizabeth
1941day.year

The SS Patrick Henry is launched, becoming the first of more than 2,700 Liberty ships.

The SS Patrick Henry, first of the Liberty ships, was launched, marking the start of a massive wartime shipbuilding program.
Launched on 27 September 1941 at the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, SS Patrick Henry was the inaugural Liberty ship of World War II. Designed to meet urgent cargo needs, Liberty ships were built using prefabricated sections and standardized parts for rapid mass production. Named after American patriot Patrick Henry, she heralded the construction of over 2,700 identical vessels. These ships proved essential in transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across the Atlantic under constant threat from U-boats. The Liberty ship program revolutionized shipbuilding techniques and demonstrated American industrial capacity. Their enduring legacy highlights the logistical backbone of the Allied war effort.
1941 SS Patrick Henry