Today in History: World Transportation Commission

Pangborn on railway section car

Today in History–April 27–the Library of Congress features the World Transportation Commission (WTC). On this date in 1895, Harper’s Weekly carried a story on theWTC’s visit to Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka. The WTC was organized by a railroad publicist to find out more about international railroads and other foreign transportation systems. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources.

Around the World with the Transportation Commission of the Field Columbian Museum: Ceylon and Its CapitalHarper’s Weekly April 27, 1895 accessed via Google Books

Around the World in the 1890s: Photographs from the World’s Transportation Commission, 1894-1896

WTC trip itinerary

Career Chronology of WTC photographer William Henry Jackson

World Transportation Commission historical newspaper coverage

Collection Connections: Photographs from the World’s Transportation Commission primary source activity ideas

Around the World in 1896 lesson plan

World Spotlight: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)