December 22

On December 22, 1851, engineers and laborers in Roorkee witnessed the launch of India’s first freight train. The locomotive hauled construction materials along a makeshift track for the Ganges Canal project. This railway represented an important step in India’s emerging transportation network under British colonial rule. It improved efficiency in moving heavy stone and earth to dam sites. The success of this operation paved the way for broader railway development across the subcontinent. Local workers adapted quickly to the new technology, forging a unique Indo-British engineering collaboration. The Roorkee experiment foreshadowed India’s transformation through rail connectivity.

The Cornwallis Valley Railway officially opened on December 22, 1890, linking Kentville and Kingsport in Nova Scotia. Designed to serve agricultural communities, the line carried fruit, lumber, and other local products. Its launch improved regional commerce by offering a reliable transport option during winter months. Local farmers and merchants welcomed the new route as a lifeline for their goods. Engineering challenges included cold weather track maintenance and river crossings. Over time, the railway contributed to the growth of towns along its route. Although passenger services ended mid-20th century, the line’s legacy remains in Nova Scotia’s transportation history.

On December 22, 1937, the Lincoln Tunnel officially opened to traffic, connecting midtown Manhattan and Weehawken, New Jersey. Comprised of three tubes bored under the Hudson River, it was the world's busiest vehicular tunnel at the time of completion. The project facilitated commerce and daily commutes, relieving congestion on the Port Authority's ferry services. Engineers overcame challenges posed by river currents, soft riverbed sediments, and compressed air working conditions. The tunnel's opening marked a milestone in American infrastructure, significantly improving regional transportation. Today, the Lincoln Tunnel remains a critical artery for over 120,000 vehicles each weekday.

On December 22, 1965, the United Kingdom introduced a 70 miles per hour speed limit on all rural roads, including motorways. The regulation aimed to reduce traffic fatalities by curbing excessive speeds in less populated areas. Before this change, speed limits varied widely and enforcement was inconsistent across road types. Studies at the time linked high-speed travel to a disproportionate number of serious accidents. Motorists had mixed reactions, acknowledging safety benefits but lamenting restrictions on long-distance travel. The 70 mph limit became a defining feature of British road safety policy for decades.