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.

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 -  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.