A Timeline of Manchester

By Tim Lambert

80

The Romans build a wooden fort on the site of Manchester

200

The wooden fort is replaced by a stone one. A little town has grown up by the fort.

407

The Roman army leaves Britain and Roman forts and towns are abandoned

1227

Manchester is granted an annual fair. The village becomes a small market town.

1301

Manchester is granted a charter (a document giving the townspeople certain rights).

1400

Manchester probably has a population of around 2,500

1515

A Grammar School is founded in Manchester

1600

The population of Manchester is about 4,000

1603

The plague strikes Manchester. Up to 1/4 of the population dies.

1637

Silk is woven in Manchester for the first time

1642

Civil War begins between the king and parliament. The Royalists try to capture Manchester but fail.

1719

The first newspaper in Manchester is published

1720

The population of Manchester is about 10,000

1729

A Cotton Exchange is built

1752

An infirmary opens

1753

The first theatre opens in Manchester

1761

The Bridgewater Canal is built

1792

For the first time, the streets of Manchester are cleaned and lit with oil lamps

1801

The population of Manchester is 75,000

1816

Manchester gains a piped water supply

1821

The Manchester Guardian is founded

1828

Horse drawn buses begin operation

1830

A railway opens to Liverpool

1831

The population of Manchester reaches 142,000

1832

Cholera strikes Manchester and kills 674 people

1835

A Natural History Museum opens

1837

A Corn Exchange opens

1838

Manchester is made a borough

1846

The first public parks in Manchester open

1847

The Church of St Mary is made a Cathedral

1852

The first public library in Manchester opens

1853

Manchester is made a city

1894

The Manchester Ship Canal opens

1903

Manchester University is founded

1934

The Central Library is built

1969

The Museum of Science and Industry opens

1979

The Museum of Transport opens

1984

The Jewish Museum opens

1987

The Chinese Arts Centre opens

1996

Manchester city centre is bombed

1998

Trafford Shopping Centre opens

2000

Lowry Art Gallery opens

2008

Manchester Civil Justice Centre is officially opened by the Queen