September 30

On 30 September 1909, the RMS Mauretania of the Cunard Line completed a record-breaking westbound crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 5 days, 21 hours, and 4 minutes. Designed by Leonard Peskett and built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, the Mauretania combined powerful steam turbines with slender hull lines for exceptional speed. She surpassed the record held by her sister ship, the Lusitania, and set a standard that would endure for two decades. The ship’s performance underscored Britain’s dominance in transatlantic passenger service and spurred a fierce competition among ocean liners. Mauretania’s luxurious accommodations and swift voyage attracted affluent travelers and bolstered Cunard’s reputation for reliability and comfort. World War I would later see the vessel pressed into service as an armed merchant cruiser and troop transport. After more than two decades of service, Mauretania was retired in 1934, but her transatlantic record remains a testament to early 20th-century maritime innovation.

Construction of Hoover Dam began in 1931 and was completed in 1935 after thousands of workers contributed to the project. Named after President Herbert Hoover, the dam stands 726 feet tall and spans 1,244 feet across the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. It created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume, which provides water to Nevada, Arizona, California, and Mexico. The hydroelectric power plant generates enough electricity to supply millions of homes across the Southwest. The dedication ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials and celebrated as a triumph of modern engineering and federal initiative. Hoover Dam remains an iconic symbol of the New Deal era and continues to play a vital role in water management and power generation.