The U.S. House of Representatives Elects John Quincy Adams as President
On this day in 1825, following a disputed election, the U.S. House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams as the sixth President of the United States, despite Andrew Jackson winning the popular vote.
The Erie Canal Opens
The Erie Canal opens, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York led the opening ceremonies and rode the canal boat Seneca Chief from Buffalo to New York City.
Stockton and Darlington Railway
The Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) was the first passenger railway to use steam trains to transport passengers. The company operated across north east England from 1825 to 1863. The S&DR’s first line connected coal mines at Shildon in County Durham to Darlington.