- On this day in 1929. The first passenger train departs Adelaide on the Ghan railway line to Alice Springs. The original Ghan train was called the Afghan Express, a name which was soon shortened to just “The Ghan”. It was named The Ghan because it followed the tracks of the Afghan camel teams which used to make the trek across central Australia. The first train trip of the Ghan pulled out of the Adelaide station on 4 August 1929 with 120 passengers on board. The train now travels through the centre of Australia, between the cities of Adelaide and Darwin, a total journey of 2979km.
- On this day in 1961. Barack Obama celebrates his birthday today. Barack Hussein Obama II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Barack is the 44th and current President of the United States.
- On this day in 1901. Louis Armstrong was born on this day in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Considered the father of Jazz, he replaced the Beatles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Hello, Dolly!” when he was 63 years old.
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The Ghan waiting at Alice Springs station before continuing north to Darwin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Louis Armstrong, jazz trumpeter. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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