The International Meridian Conference was held in 1884 in Washington, D.C., to establish a global standard for timekeeping and navigation. Delegates from 25 countries gathered to select the prime meridian, which would serve as the reference point for longitude. They ultimately chose the meridian that runs through Greenwich, England, leading to the adoption of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the world's time standard. The conference also addressed the need for a uniform system of time zones, which would help coordinate schedules for transportation and communication. This initiative laid the groundwork for the modern global timekeeping system, facilitating international trade and travel.