Timeline of Douala

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Douala, Cameroon.

Prior to 20th century

 * 1472 - the Portuguese visit the area during the Age of Exploration
 * 1845 - Alfred Saker of the British Baptist Missionary Society arrives in Douala.
 * 1849 - Native Baptist Church of Douala built.
 * 1859 (July 8) - Arrangement Anglo-douala signed.
 * 1868 - The company Woermann-Linie in Cameroon
 * 1881 - The company Woermann-Linie receives the authorization to build a factory (trading post) in Deido.
 * 1884 - Germans in power (the treaty between the Douala and Germans is signed; Cameroon becomes a German protectorate.
 * 1885 - Construction (1885-1890) of a prefabricate iron house for King Ndumbe Lobe.
 * 1886 - The Protestant Mission of Basel takes the place of the Mission of London.
 * 1887 (February) - Construction of the postoffice.
 * 1888
 * (March) - Construction of a school in Joss (directed by Théodor Christaller arrived in Cameroon in 1887).
 * Construction of a brickyard (before, building materials were imported by Germans from Hamburg).
 * Fracture between the Protestant Mission of Basel and the "Natives". Construction of a new church by the natives and led by Josua Dibundu.
 * 1890 - First documented plan of the city, Deutsches Kolonial Blatt.
 * 1891 - German government headquarters built.
 * 1893 - Revolt of the German troops composed of former slaves of Dahomey enrolled in the German army to pay back their liberation.
 * 1896
 * General Hospital built.
 * The German Baptists Missioners of Berlin arrive in Cameroon.

20th century

 * 1901 - Kamerunstadt renamed "Douala."
 * 1905 - Palace of the Kings Bell built.
 * 1906 - Mwendi Ma Musango Baptist newspaper begins publication.
 * 1907 - Capital of German Cameroon relocated from Douala to Buea.
 * 1908 - Elolombe Ya Cameroun Protestant newspaper begins publication.
 * 1908 - Railway line sanctioned to run S.E. from Duala to the upper waters of the Nyong.
 * 1909 - The railway line Bonaberi-Nkongsamba (160 km) is inaugurated.
 * 1910
 * Villa Mandessi Bell (residence) built.
 * Robbery from Deutsch Westafrikanische Bank.
 * Population: 22,000.
 * 1911 - The railway line Douala-Edea is inaugurated
 * 1913
 * Eseka-Douala railway constructed.
 * The German urban plan is implemented by moving the population to New Deido, New Akwa and New Bell and by creating a 1 km Freie Zone to separate those areas from the European city.
 * 1914
 * September: British forces in Douala.
 * New Bell established.
 * 1917 (February) Louis-Ferdinand Céline is hospitalized in Douala.
 * 1919 - Town becomes part of French Cameroun.
 * 1921 - Capital of French Cameroun relocated from Douala to Yaounde.
 * 1927 - Oryx Douala football club formed.
 * 1928 - Chamber of Commerce building constructed.
 * 1930 - Mbale newspaper begins publication.
 * 1931
 * Palace of Justice built.
 * Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of Douala established.
 * 1936 - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Douala built.
 * 1941 - Radio Douala begins broadcasting.
 * 1944 - Population: 37,751.
 * 1945 - Riots.
 * 1948 - Brasseries du Cameroun in business.
 * 1949
 * Association des femmes de l'Union Francaise au Cameroun headquartered in Douala.
 * Population: 67,925.
 * 1954 - (bridge) built to Bonabéri.
 * 1955 - L'Effort Camerounais and La Presse du Cameroun newspapers begin publication.
 * 1956 - Population: 124,703.
 * 1957 - Union Douala football club formed.
 * 1958 - Stade Akwa built.
 * 1959 - 31 December: Unrest.
 * 1960 - 1 January: City becomes part of the Republic of Cameroon.
 * 1963 - Centre Culturel Americain active.
 * 1964 - Centre Culturel Francais active.
 * 1965 - Pan African Institute for Development regional headquarters established in Douala.
 * 1970 - Population: 250,000 urban agglomeration.
 * 1972
 * Stade de la Réunification built.
 * February–March: City hosts 1972 African Cup of Nations.
 * 1974
 * Commune Urbaine de Douala (urban council) established.
 * Cameroon Tribune newspaper begins publication.
 * 1978 - American School founded.
 * 1979 - Le Messager newspaper begins publication.
 * 1983 - Population: 708,000 urban agglomeration (estimate).
 * 1986 - (museum) founded.
 * 1987 - created.
 * 1990 - Population: 931,000 (urban agglomeration).
 * 1991
 * General strike.
 * Doual'art (art centre) founded.
 * 1992 - Commune Urbaine d`Arrondissement Douala V created.
 * 1993 - University of Douala founded.
 * 1997 - Commercial Bank Cameroon and Commercial Bank Group headquartered in city.
 * 1999 - Festival International de Voix de Femmes begins (women's fest).
 * 2000 - Population: 1,432,000 (urban agglomeration).

21st century

 * 2001
 * 9 April: Political protest.
 * Douala Stock Exchange and Accueil Femmes Francophones de Douala founded.
 * 2002
 * World Bank Douala Infrastructure Project launched.
 * Astres Football Club formed.
 * 2004 - March: Taxi strike.
 * 2005
 * City website online (approximate date).
 * Art biennale begins.
 * Population: 1,907,479.
 * 2007
 * Salon Urbain de Douala (art fair) begins.
 * 5 May: Airplane crash near city.
 * 2008
 * February: Anti-government protest.
 * City becomes capital of Littoral Region (Cameroon).
 * 2010 - Drinking water shortage.
 * 2016 - Population: 2,948,464 (estimate).
 * 2019 - Part of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations football contest to be played in Douala.