By Tim Lambert
875 The Danes create a fortified settlement at Cambridge. In the 10th century, Cambridge is captured by the English.
1010 The Danes burn Cambridge. However, it is soon rebuilt.
c. 1025 The Church of St Benet is built
1068 The Normans build a castle at Cambridge
1086 Cambridge has a population of about 2,000
c. 1107 The Round Church is built
1174 Cambridge is badly damaged by a fire
1207 Cambridge is given a charter (a document giving the townspeople certain rights)
1209 Cambridge University is founded
1250 Cambridge has a population of about 3,000
1385 Another fire damages Cambridge
1575 The streets of Cambridge are cleaned
1610 A conduit brings water into Cambridge
1630 Plague strikes Cambridge
1653 Stagecoaches begin running from Cambridge to London
1728 The population of Cambridge is 6,179. (By the standards of the time it is quite a large town).
1730 Senate House is built
1744 Cambridge gets its first newspaper
1747 Shire Hall is built
1749 The Mathematical Bridge is built
1766 Addenbrookes Hospital opens
1780 Cambridge gets its first bank
1788 A body of men called the Improvement Commissioners is formed to pave, clean and light the streets of Cambridge (with oil lamps)
1801 Cambridge has a population of 10,087
1823 Cambridge is lit by gas. Great Bridge is built.
1845 The railway reaches Cambridge
1855 Cambridge gets a piped water supply
1858 Fulbourn Mental Hospital is built
1880 Horse drawn trams begin running in Cambridge
1893 Electricity is first generated in Cambridge
1901 The population of Cambridge 38,000
1910 The first cinema opens
1936 The Folk Museum opens
1951 Cambridge is made a city
1967 Kettles Yard Gallery opens
1975 Lion Yard Shopping Centre opens
1983 The Grafton Centre opens