Launch of the New York subway's first section

On September 6, 1902, the Interborough Rapid Transit Company began operations on the first segment of the New York City Subway, running from City Hall to 145th Street in Manhattan. Designed by Chief Engineer William Barclay Parsons, the system featured electrified third-rail power and steel cars built by the Jewett Car Company. This innovation addressed severe urban congestion in the growing metropolis and set the standard for rapid transit worldwide. The opening was celebrated with parades and marked the shift from elevated lines to underground networks. It facilitated massive population growth and remains one of the busiest subway systems, influencing urban planning globally.