What is the first Morse code message? On May 24, 1844, Samuel F.B. Morse sent the iconic words “What Hath God Wrought” from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, Maryland, marking the birth of modern telecommunication. This groundbreaking transmission over the world’s first commercial telegraph line not only demonstrated the telegraph’s potential but also introduced Morse code as a revolutionary way to encode and transmit messages. As a Morse code enthusiast, I’ve explored its history and impact, and in this article, I’ll dive into the details of this historic moment, its significance, and its lasting legacy, with tools like those on Morse Code Hub to help you encode this famous phrase yourself.

What Was the First Morse Code Message?

The first Morse code message, sent on May 24, 1844, was “What Hath God Wrought,” a biblical phrase from Numbers 23:23. This message, transmitted over a 38-mile telegraph line from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to a Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad station in Baltimore, Maryland, was a defining moment in communication history. According to the Library of Congress, the message was recorded on paper tape, with dots and dashes representing the letters, and preserved as a historic artifact.

The message itself, “What Hath God Wrought,” translates to •••• • •– •– / ••– / – ••• / •– / –•• / •–••– / •–• •– / •– • / •–• / •••– •••– / •– • in Morse code. This sequence was sent by Samuel Morse and received by his collaborator, Alfred Vail, who promptly retransmitted it to confirm the system’s reliability. It notes that this transmission marked the first successful long-distance telegraph communication in the U.S., covering approximately 40 miles.

The choice of a biblical phrase reflected the era’s cultural context, but its technical execution—using Morse’s newly devised code—proved that complex messages could be sent instantly over wires. You can try encoding this message yourself using our Morse code translator to see how it appears in dots and dashes or hear its rhythm.

Why Was “What Hath God Wrought” Chosen?

The phrase “What Hath God Wrought” was suggested by Annie Ellsworth, the teenage daughter of Henry L. Ellsworth, the U.S. Commissioner of Patents and a friend of Morse. Drawn from the Book of Numbers 23:23, the phrase expresses awe at divine works, making it a fitting choice for a technology that seemed miraculous at the time. As per Courageous Christian Father, it explains that Morse, a deeply religious man, saw his invention as part of a divine plan, and Annie’s suggestion captured the moment’s gravity.

The choice wasn’t random. In the 1840s, biblical references were common in American public life, and the phrase resonated with the audience of congressmen and dignitaries witnessing the demonstration. The phrase’s 23 characters, including spaces, were encoded into Morse code, demonstrating the system’s ability to handle full sentences efficiently.

This message’s impact went beyond its words. The history of Information article estimates that the telegraph’s debut reached an audience of influential figures, amplifying its immediate recognition. The phrase’s enduring fame lies in its encapsulation of a pivotal moment, as noted by the Library of Congress record, which preserves the original paper tape.

Who Sent the First Morse Code Message?

Samuel F.B. Morse, an accomplished painter turned inventor, sent the first Morse code message, with Alfred Vail, his collaborator, receiving it in Baltimore. Morse, born in 1791 in Massachusetts, was inspired to develop the telegraph after a personal tragedy: in 1825, he learned of his wife’s death too late to attend her funeral due to slow mail delivery. This experience, as noted by HowStuffWorks, drove Morse to create a faster communication system.

Morse began experimenting with telegraphy in 1832 after learning about European electrical experiments. By 1837, he had a crude prototype but needed technical expertise. Alfred Vail, a skilled machinist, joined Morse in 1837, improving the telegraph’s design and refining the code to include letters and punctuation. Smithsonian Institution Archives article highlights Vail’s critical role, noting that he received and retransmitted the first message, ensuring the system’s two-way functionality.

Congress funded the project with $30,000 in 1843 (equivalent to roughly $1.26 million in 2024), as noted in the Courageous Christian Father article. Morse’s vision and Vail’s engineering made the May 24, 1844, demonstration possible. To explore their legacy, try encoding a message like “SAMUEL” or “VAIL” using our words in Morse code tool.

When and Where Was the First Message Sent?

The first Morse code message was sent on May 24, 1844, from the U.S. Capitol’s Supreme Court chamber in Washington, D.C., to the B&O Railroad’s Pratt Street Station in Baltimore, Maryland. The 38-mile telegraph line, funded by Congress, was the first commercial telegraph line in the U.S.

The event took place before a small group of dignitaries, including members of Congress, who witnessed the historic moment. Library of Congress record confirms that the message was recorded on paper tape, with Morse crediting Annie Ellsworth at the top of the artifact. The transmission took seconds, a stark contrast to the days or weeks required for mail delivery at the time. By 1846, over 1,200 miles of telegraph lines connected major U.S. cities, as per the History of Information.

The choice of the Capitol as the starting point underscored the event’s national significance, while Baltimore’s rail hub ensured a practical test of distance. This moment marked the telegraph’s public debut, proving its reliability.

What Was the Impact of the First Morse Code Transmission?

The transmission of “What Hath God Wrought” was a watershed moment, launching the telecommunications revolution. The telegraph transformed business, politics, and society by enabling near-instant communication.

During the Civil War, President Lincoln used the telegraph to monitor battles, with over 1,000 telegrams sent to him in 1862 alone, according to the Library of Congress. The telegraph’s speed—messages traveled in seconds versus days by horse—revolutionized warfare and governance. By 1861, Western Union’s transcontinental line connected the U.S. coasts, ending the Pony Express, as noted by Teaching American History.

Globally, the telegraph network expanded rapidly. The Morse code’s binary system also inspired modern digital encoding, as noted by Geekboots. You can encode numbers like “1844” using our numbers in Morse code tool to connect with this history.

How Did Morse Code Evolve After the First Message?

After the 1844 transmission, Morse code evolved from an American innovation to a global standard. The original American Morse Code, used in 1844, was complex, with inconsistent spacing and extra symbols. In 1851, the International Morse Code was standardized, simplifying the system for global use, as noted in HowStuffWorks. This version accommodated non-Latin scripts, like Japan’s Wabun Code, enabling multilingual communication.

By 1900, Morse code was used on over 90% of international ships for navigation and distress signals. The SOS signal (••• ––– •••), adopted in 1905, became a universal distress call, saving lives during events like the Titanic’s sinking in 1912.

Morse code also adapted to new mediums, from telegraph keys to signal lamps and radio. Today, it’s used in amateur radio, military training, and assistive technology, with apps like those on MorseCodeHub supporting languages like Arabic and Hebrew.

Conclusion

The first Morse code message, “What Hath God Wrought,” sent on May 24, 1844, was a pivotal moment that launched the telecommunications era. Suggested by Annie Ellsworth and transmitted by Samuel Morse to Alfred Vail, it demonstrated the telegraph’s power to connect distant places instantly. From warfare to global trade, Morse code shaped the modern world, and its legacy endures in radio, education, and beyond. Explore this history with Morse Code Hub tools and tap into the rhythm of this transformative code.