Timeline of 9-1-1

1876 The First Telephone is invented

 
1937 Britain implements its 999 emergency telephone system serving police, fire and EMS

 
1957 The National Association of Fire Chiefs reportedly suggests a single number for reporting fires.

 
 

1961

 Australia introduces its 000 emergency number
 

1967

 President Lyndon Johnson’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice issues its report, recommending that police departments have a single number to call, and that eventually that single number should be used nationwide
 

1968

 AT&T announces their designation of 911 as a universal emergency number
 

2 p.m., Friday,
Feb. 16, 1968

 the first-ever 911 call is placed by Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite from Haleyville City Hall to U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill (Dem.) at the city’s police station. Bevill reportedly answered the phone with “Hello.”
 

1972

 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends that 911 be implemented nationwide.
 

1973

 The White House’s Office of Telecommunications issues National Policy Bulletin Number 73-1, which recognizes the benefits of 911 and encouraging its nationwide adoption.
 

1980

 AT&T began working on two full Enhanced 911 systems
 

1998

 the first Phase I system (wireless calls display caller’s phone number and address of receiving antenna tower) in the U.S.
 

1999

 President Clinton signs Senate Bill 800, which designates 911 as the nationwide emergency telephone number