# Timeline of Windhoek

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Windhoek, Namibia.

## Prior to 20th century

* 1840s - Nama Orlam chief Jonker Afrikaner names settlement "Winterhoek"
* 1880 - Nama-Herero conflict; settlement sacked.
* 1890 - German military fort construction begins.
* 1892 - Windhoek designated administrative seat of colonial German South West Africa.
* 1898 - German-language Windhoeker Anzeiger newspaper begins publication.

## 20th century
### 1900s

* 1901 - Public library founded.
* 1902 - Railway to coast begins operating.
* 1907 - Landesmuseum founded.
* 1909
** Turnhalle built.
** Gustav Voigts [de] becomes mayor.

### 1910s

* 1910
** Church of Peace built.
** Luisen Apotheke (pharmacy) in business.
* 1912
** Windhoek Railway Station opens.
** Reiterdenkmal erected (monument to Germans in the Herero and Namaqua Wars).
* 1913 - Tintenpalast (colonial government building) constructed.
* 1915 - 12 May: Town occupied by South African military during the First World War.
* 1916 - German-language Allgemeine Zeitung (newspaper) begins publication.

### 1920s

* 1920
** Population: 716.
** Winterhoek renamed to Windhoek.
* 1924 - Windhoek Synagogue built.
* 1926 - Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Windhoek active.
* 1927 - Die Suidwes-Afrikaner newspaper begins publication.
* 1928 - Kaiser Street paved.
* 1929 - Windhoek–Gobabis Railway [de]begins operating.

### 1930s

* 1932 - Tintenpalast Gardens laid out.
* 1937 - Bantu Welfare Hall built.

### 1940s

* 1946 - Population: 14,929.

### 1950s

* 1951 - Population: 20,490.
* 1958 - Library/museum/archives building constructed.
* 1959 - 10 December: Ethnic unrest.

### 1960s

* 1960 - Population: 36,049.
* 1961 - Katutura township created.
* 1964 - Black Africa S.C. (football club) formed.
* 1965 - J. G. Strydom Airport opens.
* 1968 - Racially segregated Main Location closes.

### 1970s

* 1971 - Namibian general contract workers strike occurs, starting from Windhoek.
* 1975
** September: Turnhalle Constitutional Conference begins in Windhoek.
** Delta Secondary School Windhoek established.
* 1977 - Republikein newspaper begins publication.

### 1980s

* 1981 - Population 96,057

### 1990s

* 1990
** 21 March: Namibian Independence Day celebrated at Windhoek stadium.
** Kaiser Street renamed "Independence Avenue" (approximate date).
** Wernhil Park Mall in business.
** Sanlam Centre built.
** National Art Gallery of Namibia and Embassy of Germany established.
* 1991 - Population: 147,056.
* 1992
** University of Namibia established.
** New Era newspaper begins publication.
** Media Institute of Southern Africa headquartered in Windhoek.
* 1994
** Polytechnic of Namibia founded.
** National Library of Namibia headquartered in Windhoek.
* 1995
** May: Miss Universe 1995 beauty pageant held in city.
** Quba-Mosque (Windhoek) [de] built.
** Windhoek Country Club Resort in business.
** National Ministry of Prisons & Correctional Services headquartered in city.

## 21st century
### 2000s

* 2000
** Matheus Shikongo becomes mayor.
** National Art Gallery of Namibia established.
* 2001 - Population: 233,529.
* 2002 - Heroes' Acre (Namibia) memorial unveiled near city.
* 2005
** Renaming of Windhoek (as "Otjomuise") proposed.
** Sam Nujoma Stadium opens.
* 2006 - City police department established.
* 2007
** Namibian Sun newspaper begins publication.
** Windhoek Gymnasium Private School established.
* 2008 - January: Airplane crash occurs at Eros Airport.

### 2010s

* 2010 - Old Mutual Namibia building constructed.
* 2011
** Hilltop Estate [de] construction begins in Kleine Kuppe.
** Population: 325,858.
* 2014
** The Grove Mall of Namibia [de] opens.
** Muesee Kazapua becomes mayor.