When was the prime meridian established as the starting point for measuring distances around the globe?

The prime meridian was established as the starting point for measuring distances around the globe in 1884 during the International Meridian Conference held in Washington, D.C. This conference was significant because it aimed to create a standardized system for timekeeping and navigation. Delegates from 25 nations agreed to adopt the prime meridian at Greenwich, England, as the reference line for 0 degrees longitude. This decision facilitated global communication and navigation by providing a common point of reference and helped promote uniformity in time zones, which was critical for travel and trade during that era. The establishment of the prime meridian remains a cornerstone in the fields of geography and cartography.