In South Africa, the Cape Colony's first railway line is opened between Capetown and Wellington

The governor of Cape Colony opened the new fifty-eight mile Capetown and Wellington Railway in an impressive ceremony.  Begun in March 1859, the single line had suffered a slow rate of construction and finishing touches continued for several months. Still, it was the first completed in the colony and had six intermediate stops, including at Salt River and Stellenbosch. (By John Osborne)