Medical milestones: In which year did Dr. Christiaan Barnard perform the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky? Identify the landmark year of the operation at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. Choose the correct year.

What is being asked?
The year of the first human heart transplant (patient: Louis Washkansky; surgeon: Dr. Christiaan Barnard).

Given data

• Place: Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town (South Africa)
• Person: Dr. Christiaan Barnard

Concept/Approach
This widely noted milestone occurred on 3 December 1967.

Common pitfalls
Confusing the year with other transplant milestones (e.g., kidney transplants in early 1950s) or later cardiac advances.

Final Answer
1967