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