# Timeline of Doha

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Doha, Qatar.

## Prior to 20th century

* 1681 - Earliest documented mention of Al Bidda (now part of Doha).
* 1801 - Earliest description of Al Bidda and first attempt by the British to attack the city.
* 1820 - Population: 10,000 (estimate).
* 1821 - Al Bidda bombarded by the British as punishment for piracy.
* 1820s - Doha founded as an offshoot of Al Bidda.
* 1823 - Doha is mapped for the first time.
* 1828 - Ruling tribe of Doha have their fort bombarded by the Al Khalifa and are evicted from the town.
* 1841 - Al Bidda bombarded by the British as punishment for harboring pirate Jasim bin Jabir.
* 1848–50 - Al Thani family migrate to Doha.
* 1850 - Turkish fort built.
* 1852 - Economic blockade placed on Doha and Al Bidda by the Al Khalifa.
* 1867 - Doha sacked during the Qatari–Bahraini War.
* 1871 - Doha occupied by Turks.
* 1893
** Al Bidda townspeople fired at indiscriminately by the Ottoman troops during the Battle of Al Wajbah.
** Population: 6,000 (estimate).

## 20th century

* 1901 - Fariq Al-Salata Palace built.
* 1910 - Barzan Tower built near Doha.
* 1927 - Al Koot Fort built.
* 1952
** Establishment of first formal boys' school.
** Population: 10,000 (estimate).
* 1955 - Establishment of first formal girls' school.
* 1963
** Population: 45,000 (estimate).
** Ad-Dawhah (municipality) created.
* 1969
** Al Sadd Sports Club formed.
** Government House built.
* 1971 - Doha officially declared as the capital city of Qatar.
* 1972 - Amiri Diwan (palace) built.
* 1973 - Qatar University opened in Doha.
* 1975
** Qatar News Agency headquartered in city.
** Qatar National Museum opens in the Fariq Al-Salata Palace.
* 1976 - National Stadium opens.
* 1977 - Qatar University active.
* 1978 - Gulf Times begins publication.
* 1981 - Persian Gulf States Folk Heritage Center established.
* 1983
** Doha Zoo built.
** A 15-storey Sheraton hotel building, the tallest structure in Doha until 1997, is built.
* 1985 - Said Bin Sumich Mosque built.
* 1988 - American School of Doha established.
* 1995 - FIFA World Youth Championship is hosted exclusively in Doha-based stadiums.
* 1996
** Al Jazeera television begins broadcasting.
** Doha Golf Club opens.
* 1997 - Doha British School opens.
* 2000 - Landmark Mall Doha in business.

## 21st century

* 2001 - November: World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2001 held in Doha; "Doha Declaration" adopted.
* 2004
** Assassination of Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev
* 2005
** Doha Sports City opens.
** Doha Modern Indian School established.
* 2006
** December: 2006 Asian Games held in Doha.
** Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre established (approximate date).
** Villaggio Mall in business.
** Development of The Pearl Island artificial island begins.
** Qatar Canadian School and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar art gallery established.
* 2007
** Doha bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics announced.
** Aspire Tower built.
** Dubai Towers Doha construction begins.
* 2008
** Museum of Islamic Art, Doha opens.
** Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition begins.
** Tornado Tower built.
** Souq Waqif (market) reconstructed.
* 2009
** Doha Tribeca Film Festival begins.
** Doha News blog begins publication.
** Commercialbank Plaza and Al Fardan Residences built.
** Al Quds Endowment Tower and Qatar National Bank Tower construction begins.
* 2010
** Mathaf museum opens.
** Population: 796,947.
** Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid selected.
** Katara Cultural Village opens.
* 2011
** December: 2011 Pan Arab Games held in Doha.
** Boeing office in business.
* 2012
** February: National Sports Day begins.
** 28 May: Fire at Villaggio Mall.
** Burj Qatar built.
** Air pollution in Doha reaches annual mean of 93 PM2.5 and 168 PM10, much higher than recommended.
* 2013
** Qatar Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics headquartered in Doha.
** Statue of Zinedine Zidane installed on the Corniche, then removed.
* 2014 - Hamad International Airport begins operating.
* 2015 - Population: 956,457.
* 2016 - 8 March: Tiger roams free on Doha Expressway; later recaptured.
* 2022 - Hosted 2022 FIFA World Cup