Legend holds that on this day, Amsterdam was officially founded when fishermen settled along the Amstel River and built a dam. This small fishing village would grow into one of Europe’s most influential cities, known for its canals, trade, and cultural heritage. Today, Amsterdam stands as a global center of commerce, art, and innovation, with its origins deeply tied to the waterways.
1275 – Amsterdam is Born: A City Rises from the Water
On this day, Hawaii completed its first Pali Road, an engineering marvel through the lush Ko’olau Mountains. Winds in the region were so strong that, in some places, streams appeared to flow upward instead of down. This breathtaking road connected Honolulu to the Windward side of Oahu, transforming transportation and opening up access to one of the island’s most scenic routes.
1896 – Hawaii’s Pali Road: A Highway Where Water Defies Gravity
On this day, the first section of the New York City subway opened, revolutionizing urban transportation. Built by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT), the line ran from Lower Manhattan to Harlem for just five cents. This underground marvel changed the way New Yorkers moved, setting the foundation for what would become one of the world’s largest and busiest transit systems.
1904 – New York’s Subway Opens: A Nickel to Change the City Forever
On this day, a powerful wave of change swept through New York as 20,000 women marched in a massive suffrage parade. Their demand? The right to vote. Dressed in white, they filled the streets, making a statement too loud to ignore. Their perseverance paid off when the U.S. granted women the right to vote with the 19th Amendment just three years later.
1917 – 20,000 Women Take to the Streets for Suffrage in New York
On this day, the plane carrying Enrico Mattei, Italy’s most powerful oil magnate, crashed under suspicious circumstances. Mattei, head of ENI, had challenged the dominance of major Western oil companies, making powerful enemies. While officially ruled an accident, speculation of sabotage and political intrigue has persisted for decades. His death remains one of Italy’s most debated unsolved mysteries.
