Liverpool and Manchester Railway Opens

On this day, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway officially opened, becoming the world's first inter-city passenger railway. **Historic Firsts:** - First railway to rely exclusively on steam power - First to carry mail - First to operate on a timetable - First to have a signaling system **The Tragedy:** Opening day was marred by the death of William Huskisson MP, who was struck by George Stephenson's locomotive "Rocket"—the first railway passenger fatality.