July 22, 1894: World’s First Automotive Competition Held, 120 Years Ago
On July 22, 1894, nearly two-dozen 19th-century gearheads jumped behind the controls of early steam and gas-powered cars as part of the “Le Petit Journal Competition for Horseless Carriages.” More exhibition than race, the 79-mile jaunt from Paris to Rouen was designed to test the reliability, safety and ease-of-use of early automobiles. The first vehicle would roll across the finish line after several hours and a plodding average speed of just 12 miles per hour, but the history of auto racing was only just beginning.
In the 1890s, cars were still a relatively untested technology. Various steam-powered contraptions had been chugging along the roadways since the late-18th century, but more lightweight, driver-friendly vehicles had only arrived on the scene as recently as 1886, when German inventors Karl Friedrich Benz and Gottlieb Daimler developed gasoline-powered autos with internal combustion engines. Cars were considered the playthings of the super-rich, and the notion of racing them was almost entirely foreign. A French cycling magazine had organized what would have been the world’s first automotive competition in 1887, but the contest hadn’t come off as planned—while Count Albert de Dion successfully negotiated the course in a steam-powered quadricycle, he was the only driver who bothered to show up.
On July 22, 1894, nearly two-dozen 19th-century gearheads jumped behind the controls of early steam and gas-powered cars as part of the “Le Petit Journal Competition for Horseless Carriages.” More exhibition than race, the 79-mile jaunt from Paris to Rouen was designed to test the reliability, safety and ease-of-use of early automobiles. The first vehicle would roll across the finish line after several hours and a plodding average speed of just 12 miles per hour, but the history of auto racing was only just beginning.
In the 1890s, cars were still a relatively untested technology. Various steam-powered contraptions had been chugging along the roadways since the late-18th century, but more lightweight, driver-friendly vehicles had only arrived on the scene as recently as 1886, when German inventors Karl Friedrich Benz and Gottlieb Daimler developed gasoline-powered autos with internal combustion engines. Cars were considered the playthings of the super-rich, and the notion of racing them was almost entirely foreign. A French cycling magazine had organized what would have been the world’s first automotive competition in 1887, but the contest hadn’t come off as planned—while Count Albert de Dion successfully negotiated the course in a steam-powered quadricycle, he was the only driver who bothered to show up.
July 22 1942 - World War II: North Africa
The First Battle of El Alamein continued: General Sir Claude Auchinleck ordered the XXX corps to stand fast against Axis forces between Ruweisat ridge and the coast to the north, whilst the XIII corps, including the 2nd New Zealand Division pursued Rommel's forces west from Ruweisat ridge to the El Mreir Depression. Unfortunately Auchenleck lost a Brigade to German tanks, 88 mm Flak Guns, and a minefield.
July 22 1970
The Organisation of African Unity, OAU, criticised the British government for restarting arms sales to South Africa.
July 22 1971
Ja'far Muhammad an-Numeiry was returned to power in the Sudan only four days after being deposed in a military coup.
July 22 1994
Gambian President Dawda Kairaba Jawara was removed from office by a military coup. Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jamus Junkung Jammeh, chairman of the Armed forces Provisional Ruling Council took power.
Source: www.history.com, africanhistory.about.com
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