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1843 - It all began with Sir Marc Brunel. The French-born engineer worked with his son Isambard to open the Thames Tunnel in 1843.

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1863 - In early 1863, the Metropolitan Railway opens the first underground railway in the world. The track ran between Paddington and Farringdon Street.

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1868 - The Metropolitan District Railway opens its first section, running from South Kensington to Westminster.

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1869 - Brunel’s Thames Tunnel has its first run as a steam train travels along its tracks.

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1880 - The first Tube tunnel opens to the public. It ran from the Tower of London to Bermondsey.

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1884 - Work is completed on the iconic Circle line.

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1890 - A world first, the deep-level electric railway is opened. The track ran from King William Street to Stockwell, passing under the River Thames.

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1900 - The Central London Railway is opened by Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. It is now a part of the Central line.

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1902 - The Underground Electric Railway Company of London (also known as the Underground Group) is formed.

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1905 - In 1905, the District and Circle lines successfully become electrified.

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1906 - The Baker Street & Waterloo Railway opens to the public.

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1906 - Also in 1906, the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway opens.

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1908 - The world famous ‘Underground’ logo begins to be used at stations. Other developments include the introduction of electric ticket machines.

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1911 - The first escalators in London are installed at Earl's Court underground station.

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1933 - The first London Underground map is produced by Harry Beck.

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1940 - During World War II, most Tube stations are used as shelters during air raids. Some items from the British Museum were stored down there.

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1948 - The London Passenger Transport Board becomes nationalized. It became known as the London Transport Executive

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1961 - In 1961, steam trains stopped being used.

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1969 - The Victoria line is opened to the public by the Queen.

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1971 - Steam shunting trains are pulled from the London Underground and freight locomotive is withdrawn from service.

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1971 - Also in 1971, the Victoria line is extended to reach Brixton.

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1975 - In 1975, the Moorgate tube crash shakes London. A driver accidentally crashed a train into the end wall of Moorgate station. In total, 43 people were killed, and new safety measures were introduced.

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1979 - The Jubilee line is opened by the Prince of Wales.

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1987 - Another terrible accident shakes London. The King’s Cross fire began from a wooden escalator. The incident claimed 31 lives.

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1994 - No more freeloading! Penalty fares are introduced in 1994.

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2003 - Making life easier for everyone, the Oyster card is introduced in 2003. By June 2012, over 43 million cards had been issued.

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2003 - 2003 is also a great year for street musicians. Busking was made legal in the Underground with a permit.

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2005 - In 2005, a terrorist attack strikes London. On July 7, three bombs were detonated aboard trains in the Underground. In total, 56 people died in the tragic incident.

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2007 - In 2007, the Tube reached a record one billion passengers over the course of a year.

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2009 -

In 2009, the London Underground was named the Best Metro in Europe.

See also: London's famous blue plaque addresses.

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