1913day.year
The Buenos Aires Metro, the first underground railway system in the Southern Hemisphere and in Latin America, begins operation.
The Buenos Aires Metro, the first underground railway system in the Southern Hemisphere and Latin America, began operation on December 1, 1913.
Argentina inaugurated South America's first metro system on December 1, 1913, when the Buenos Aires Underground opened its initial line between Plaza de Mayo and Plaza Miserere. The project was designed to relieve urban traffic congestion and modernize the city's infrastructure, reflecting Buenos Aires' transformation into a major metropolis. Built by the French-owned company Sociedad Anónima de Tranvías del Oeste, the metro featured steel cars and electric traction. Its success spurred further extensions and inspired similar projects across the region. Today, Line A of the Buenos Aires Metro remains a testament to early 20th-century urban innovation in Latin America.
1913
Buenos Aires Metro
Southern Hemisphere
1990day.year
Channel Tunnel sections started from the United Kingdom and France meet beneath the seabed.
On December 1, 1990, British and French tunneling crews met beneath the English Channel, completing the Channel Tunnel’s physical link.
After three years of tunneling from both shores, crews from the United Kingdom and France broke through the final barrier beneath the English Channel.
On December 1, 1990, the listening team in the British tunnel heard the French drill, confirming the connection under 40 meters of seabed.
This engineering milestone linked Folkestone in Kent with Coquelles near Calais, forming the world’s longest underwater rail tunnel.
The breakthrough capped decades of planning and heralded a new era of cross-Channel travel and commerce.
Engineers overcame complex geological conditions, water ingress, and high-pressure environments during excavation.
The Channel Tunnel opened to passenger and freight services in 1994, transforming transportation between Britain and mainland Europe.
This achievement stands as a testament to international cooperation and advanced tunneling technology.
1990
Channel Tunnel
2011day.year
The Alma-Ata Metro was opened.
The Alma-Ata Metro begins operation, offering rapid transit in Kazakhstan's largest city.
On 1 December 2011, the first line of the Alma-Ata Metro was inaugurated in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The metro project was designed to reduce traffic congestion and provide a modern public transportation option.
Initial operations covered seven stations along a 8.5-kilometer route beneath the city center.
Connecting residential districts with business and cultural hubs, the metro improved daily commutes for thousands.
Plans for future expansions aimed to extend the network to suburban areas and further ease urban mobility.
2011
Alma-Ata Metro