1897 – London Opens the Blackwall Tunnel
Long before modern freeways and urban bypasses reshaped transportation, London took a major step toward improving mobility when the Blackwall Tunnel opened on this day in 1897, connecting the Borough of Tower Hamlets with Greenwich beneath the River Thames. Originally designed for horse-drawn traffic, pedestrians, and early vehicles, the tunnel helped ease congestion around river crossings and eventually became an important route for motorists as automobiles spread across Britain. More than a century later, the Blackwall Tunnel remains one of London’s busiest road links, though few early engineers could have imagined the traffic volumes it would one day handle.
1913 – Itala Cofounder Guido Bigio Dies Testing a Race Car
Racing in the early 20th century demanded extraordinary courage, and often came with deadly consequences. Italian driver and Itala cofounder Guido Bigio died on this day in 1913 while testing a new Itala race car ahead of the French Grand Prix. Bigio had helped build Itala into one of Italy’s respected early automakers and racing brands, with the company earning international recognition through endurance racing success. His death served as another grim reminder of an era when motorsports pushed technology and bravery forward at terrifying speed, often without meaningful safety protections.
1935 – Luigi Fagioli Dominates Monaco
Few feats in Formula racing are harder than controlling Monaco from start to finish, yet Luigi Fagioli accomplished exactly that on this day in 1935 by leading every lap of the Monaco Grand Prix. Driving for Mercedes-Benz, Fagioli became the first driver to go flag-to-flag at the famous street circuit, mastering the tight and unforgiving course long before modern Formula One transformed Monaco into one of the sport’s crown jewels. The victory further cemented Mercedes’ growing dominance during Europe’s prewar Grand Prix era.
1969 – “Winning” Starring Paul Newman Debuts
Action racing drama “Winning” starring Paul Newman and directed by James Goldstone debuted on this day in 1969. Also starring Joanne Woodward and Robert Wagner, the film is about a race car driver who aspires to win the Indianapolis 500 at any cost. A number of professional drivers and racing industry people appear in the film, including Bobby Unser, Dan Gurney, Roger McCluskey, and Bruce Walkup.
1977 – Janet Guthrie Breaks Barriers at Indianapolis
A major barrier in American motorsports fell on this day in 1977 when Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. A former aerospace engineer turned racer, Guthrie had already competed in NASCAR and endurance racing before arriving at Indy, where skepticism about women in motorsports remained widespread. Her successful qualification proved women belonged on racing’s biggest stages and opened doors for future competitors, helping reshape expectations in one of the world’s most tradition-bound sports.
