1795day.year

Construction of Yonge Street, formerly recognized as the longest street in the world, begins in York, Upper Canada (present-day Toronto).

Construction began on Yonge Street in York, Upper Canada, destined to become the world’s longest street.
In December 1795, Governor John Graves Simcoe initiated the building of Yonge Street to link Lake Ontario with Lake Simcoe. Originally designed for military and postal routes, it opened northern settlements to trade. Yonge Street spurred growth of towns along its route and helped shape early Toronto. Over time, it gained fame as the longest street globally, reflecting Canadian infrastructure ambition. Today, it remains a major urban artery in modern Toronto.
1795 Yonge Street York, Upper Canada Toronto
1912day.year

The first municipally owned streetcars take to the streets in San Francisco.

In 1912, San Francisco inaugurated its first municipally owned streetcar service, transforming public transit in the city.
In 1912, the San Francisco Municipal Railway began operating its own streetcar system, taking public transit under city control. The move ended reliance on private operators and set a precedent for municipally owned urban transportation in the United States. The new streetcars ran on key routes, connecting outlying neighborhoods to the city center. City officials aimed to improve reliability, lower fares, and ensure consistent maintenance. This initiative reflected broader Progressive Era reforms promoting public ownership of utilities. The municipal system eventually expanded into the iconic cable car and streetcar network that remains a hallmark of San Francisco today.
1912 municipally owned streetcars San Francisco