Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport. Belgium was the second country in Europe, after Great Britain, to open a railway and produce locomotives. The first line, between the cities of Brussels and Mechelen opened in 1835. Belgium was the first state in Europe to create a national railway network and the first to possess a nationalised railway system. The network expanded fast as Belgium industrialised, and by the early 20th century was increasingly under state-control. The nationalised railways, under the umbrella organisation National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), retained their monopoly until liberalisation in the 2000s.
King Leopold I of Belgium opens Brussels-Mechelen railway
Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport. Belgium was the second country in Europe, after Great Britain, to open a railway and produce locomotives.
Historical Significance
Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport.
Events Before
German Zollverein (Customs Union) comes into effect
The Zollverein, or German Customs Union, was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories.
Religious leader Brigham Young (32) weds herbalist Mary Ann Angell (27)
Religious leader Brigham Young (32) weds herbalist Mary Ann Angell (27)
Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into effect, abolishing slavery across the British Empire
Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into effect, abolishing slavery across the British Empire
American abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (28) weds Helen Eliza Benson (22), in Boston, Massachusetts
American abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (28) weds Helen Eliza Benson (22), in Boston, Massachusetts
US Congressman and future US President Franklin Pierce (29) weds Jane Appleton (28) at her grandparents' home in Amherst
US Congressman and future US President Franklin Pierce (29) weds Jane Appleton (28) at her grandparents' home in Amherst, New Hampshire
Events After
Author Harriet Beecher (24) weds educator Calvin Ellis Stowe (33) in Cincinnati, Ohio
Author Harriet Beecher (24) weds educator Calvin Ellis Stowe (33) in Cincinnati, Ohio
The Alamo is besieged for 13 days until March 6 by the Mexican army under General Santa Anna; the entire garrison is eve
The Alamo is besieged for 13 days until March 6 by the Mexican army under General Santa Anna; the entire garrison is eventually killed
Battle of the Alamo: After 13 days of fighting, 1,500 to 3,000 Mexican soldiers overwhelm the Texan defenders, killing 1
Battle of the Alamo: After 13 days of fighting, 1,500 to 3,000 Mexican soldiers overwhelm the Texan defenders, killing 182 to 257 Texans, including William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett
English novelist and social critic Charles Dickens (24) marries Catherine Thomson Hogarth (20)
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic.
Maria II of Portugal marries Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later known as King Dom Fernando II upon the bir
Maria II of Portugal marries Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later known as King Dom Fernando II upon the birth of their son, Pedro V of Portugal
More from the 1830s
Slave plantation owner Charles Farquharson begins his diary at Prospect Hill Plantation, Watlings Island (San Salvador),
Slave plantation owner Charles Farquharson begins his diary at Prospect Hill Plantation, Watlings Island (San Salvador), the only plantation diary to survive from the Bahamas (ends Dec 1832) [1]
Curaçao census: 2,602 white people, 6,531 free people, 5,894 enslaved people
Curaçao census: 2,602 white people, 6,531 free people, 5,894 enslaved people
German Zollverein (Customs Union) comes into effect
The Zollverein, or German Customs Union, was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories.
First official horse race in South Australia takes place in Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on May 5, 1835?
- Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport. Belgium was the second country in Europe, after Great Britain, to open a railway and produce locomotives. The first line, between the cities of Brussels and Mechelen opened in 1835.
- Why is King Leopold I of Belgium opens Brussels-Mechelen railway significant?
- Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport.