Inauguration of Berlin's first electric tram line

July 14, 1900, saw the launch of Berlin's pioneering electric tram route from Pankow to the city center, operated by the Berliner Elektrische Straßenbahnen. Powered by overhead lines at 550 volts DC, the new trams offered smoother, faster service than the previous horse-drawn vehicles, accommodating the rapid population growth of the German Empire's capital. Key figures included engineers from Siemens & Halske who supplied the electrical equipment. This innovation reduced urban congestion, supported industrial commuting, and set the stage for Berlin's extensive Straßenbahn network that survives today. It reflected broader European trends toward electrification and influenced similar conversions across Germany and beyond.