# Timeline of Durban

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Durban in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

## 19th century

* 1824 - British settlement of Port Natal established on land "acquired...through treaties with the Zulu king Shaka."
* 1835 - Settlement renamed "D'Urban" after British colonial administrator Benjamin D'Urban.
* 1839
** A small British military force was stationed at the port.
** On its withdrawal Dutch emigrants from the Cape took possession and proclaimed the Natalia Republic.
* 1841 - Printing press in operation (approximate date).
* 1842
** A British military force reoccupied Durban.
** Treaty signed by the Dutch recognizing British sovereignty.
* 1846 - "Native reserves" created.
* 1851 - Natal Times newspaper begins publication.
* 1852 - Mercury newspaper begins publication.
* 1854
** "First Town Council, consisting of 8 members representing four wards" created.
** George Cato becomes mayor.
** Natal Bank in business.
** D'Urban Club formed.
* 1860
** 26 June: Natal Railway (Market Square-Customs Point) begins operating in Durban.
** Indian workers begin to arrive in Durban.
* 1863 - Population: approximately 5,000 (3,390 white, 1,380 black and 230 Asian).
* 1865 - Sites for Albert Park and Victoria Park established.
* 1866 - Durban High School was founded.
* 1870 - Durban Fire Department founded.
* 1880 - Magazine Barracks built.
* 1882 - Durban High School for Girls was founded.
* 1885 - Town Hall built.
* 1887 - Durban Girls' College was founded.
* 1888 - Lord's cricket ground established.
* 1889 - Natal cricket team formed.
* 1896 - Population: 31,877.
* 1899 - Maris Stella School was founded.

## 20th century
### 1900s-1950s

* 1902 - Electric tram begins operating.
* 1903
** Utrecht and Vryheid become part of city.
** Indian Opinion newspaper begins publication.
* 1904
** Zulu Ilanga lase Natal newspaper begins publication.
** Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi establishes settlement at Phoenix.
** Population: 67,842.
* 1908 - Union Whaling Station begins operating.
* 1910
** Durban becomes part of newly formed Union of South Africa.
** Glenwood High School was founded.
* 1911 - Population: 69,187 (31,783 white, 17,784 black, 19,620 Asian).
* 1914 - Indian Views [de] newspaper begins publication.
* 1921
** Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple built.
** Comrades Marathon (Pietermaritzburg-Durban) begins.
* 1923 - Kingsmead Cricket Ground in use.
* 1924 - Clifton School was founded.
* 1926 - Memorial Cenotaph unveiled in Farewell Square.
* 1929 - St. Henry's Marist College was founded.
* 1931 - Natal University College Durban campus established.
* 1935 - Durban officially gained its city status.
* 1946 - Population: 338,817 city.
* 1949
** Anti-Indian riot.
** Electric tram stops operating.
* 1950 - Parliamentary Group Areas Act leads to urban apartheid.
* 1951 - November: World premiere of feature film Cry, the Beloved Country.
* 1953 - Northlands High School for Girls was founded.
* 1958 - Kings Park Stadium opens.

### 1960s-1990s

* 1960
** Ukhozi FM radio begins broadcasting.
** African Art Centre established.
** Population: 560,010 city; 681,492 metro.
* 1961
** University College for Indians established on Salisbury Island.
** Durban becomes part of the new Republic of South Africa.
* 1965 - Cinerama Theatre opens.
* 1966 - Brettonwood High School was founded.
* 1968 - Durban Heights water reservoir begins operating.
* 1970 - Population: 736,853 city; 850,946 metro.
* 1972 - University of Durban-Westville opens.
* 1973 - 1973 Durban strikes
* 1977 - Durban Container Terminal begins operating at the Port of Durban.
* 1978 - 8 January: Academic Rick Turner assassinated.
* 1985
** Anti-Indian unrest.
** 23 December: Amanzimtoti bombing occurs near Durban.
** Population: 634,301 city; 982,075 metro.
* 1986 - 14 June: Durban beach-front bombing occurs.
* 1990
** "Separate Amenities Act was repealed, thus opening up Durban’s facilities to all races."
** Northwood School was founded.
* 1991 - Population: 715,669 city; 1,137,378 metro.
* 1993
** June: 1993 African Championships in Athletics held in Durban.
** Pavilion shopping centre in business in Westville.
* 1995 - Sharks (rugby union) formed.
* 1996
** Part of 1996 Africa Cup of Nations football contest played in Durban.
** Obed Mlaba becomes mayor.
** City website Durban.gov.za launched (approximate date).
** Population: 669,242.
* 1997 - International Convention Centre opens.
* 1998 - September: International summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in city.
* 1999 - November: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1999 held in city.
* 2000
** July: XIII International AIDS Conference, 2000 held in city.
** 5 December: South African municipal elections, 2000 held.
** Durban becomes seat of newly created eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

## 21st century

* 2001
** UN World Conference against Racism 2001 held in city.
** Population: 536,644 city.
** Gateway shopping centre in business in nearby Umhlanga.
* 2002
** 6 February: 2002 Charlotte's Dale train collision occurs in vicinity of Durban.
** 9 July: African Union launched in Durban.
* 2003
** Dolphins cricket team formed.
** Part of 2003 Cricket World Cup played in Durban.
* 2004
** University of KwaZulu-Natal established.
** uShaka Marine World theme park in business.
* 2005 - 19 March: Demonstration at Kennedy Road shack settlement.
* 2006
** February: Strike at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
** 1 March: South African municipal elections, 2006 held.
* 2007 - Eden College was founded.
* 2008 - Ulwazi Programme for local history launched.
* 2009
** 24 September: Airplane crash occurs.
** 26 September: Ethnic attack on Kennedy Road shack settlement.
** Moses Mabhida Stadium opens in Stamford Hill.
* 2010
** King Shaka International Airport opens.
** Part of 2010 FIFA World Cup football contest played in Durban.
** Field Band Academy founded.
* 2011
** 18 May: South African municipal elections, 2011 held.
** November–December: 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in city.
** James Nxumalo becomes mayor.
** Population: 595,061 city; 3,442,361 metro.
* 2013
** March: International 5th BRICS summit held in city.
** Part of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations football contest played in Durban.
* 2016
** 3 August: South African municipal elections, 2016 held.
** 2016 African Championships in Athletics held in city.
** Zandile Gumede becomes mayor.
* 2017 - March: Durban bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games rejected.