Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

Prior to 19th century

 * 1638
 * March 29: Peter Minuit and others arrive at what is known today as Swedes' Landing, in the Swedish colony of New Sweden.
 * Fort Christina built on behalf of the Swedish South Company; settlement known as Christinaham.
 * 1655 - Fort taken from Swedes by Dutch forces of Peter Stuyvesant.
 * 1664 - English in power.
 * 1682 - New Sweden becomes part of the English colonial Province of Pennsylvania.
 * 1698 - Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes) built.
 * 1731 - Landowner Thomas Willing names his property "Willingtown" (renamed "Wilmington" around 1739).
 * 1739
 * William Shipley becomes burgess of Wilmington.
 * Shipbuilding industry begins (approximate date).
 * 1740 - First Presbyterian Church built.
 * 1748 - Wilmington Friends School established.
 * 1777 - September 11: Battle of Brandywine fought near town.
 * 1785 - Delaware Gazette newspaper begins publication.
 * 1788 - Wilmington Library Company founded.
 * 1798
 * Yellow fever outbreak.
 * Town Hall built.

19th century

 * 1802 - DuPont gunpowder manufacturer in business at Eleutherian Mills on Brandywine Creek near Wilmington.
 * 1809 - Borough of Wilmington expanded.
 * 1814 - Harmonic Society formed.
 * 1824 - "First public opinion poll" taken in Wilmington during the U.S. presidential election campaign.
 * 1832
 * Borough of Wilmington becomes a city per state charter.
 * Richard H. Bayard becomes city mayor.
 * 1835 - Wilmington Whaling Company incorporated.
 * 1837
 * Board of Trade and Wesleyan Female Seminary established.
 * Betts, Pusey & Harlan railcar manufactory in business.
 * 1838 - Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad begins operating.
 * 1840
 * Democratic Free Press newspaper begins publication.
 * Population: 8,367.
 * 1849 - Harlan and Hollingsworth shipbuilder and railcar manufactory in business.
 * 1855 - Customshouse built.
 * 1864
 * Horse-drawn railway begins operating.
 * Historical Society of Delaware headquartered in Wilmington.
 * John Merrick House built.
 * 1868 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington established.
 * 1871 - Grand Opera House built.
 * 1877 - Wilmington Club for men incorporated.
 * 1880 – Population: 42,478.
 * 1881 - New Castle County Court House built.
 * 1886 - Brandywine Park established.
 * 1889 - Rockford Park and New Century Club for women established.
 * 1890
 * Delaware Hospital opens.
 * Population: 61,431.
 * 1900 – Population: 76,508.

20th century

 * 1905 - Brandywine Zoo established.
 * 1910 – Population: 87,411.
 * 1911 - Majestic Theatre opens.
 * 1917 - Rodney Square established.
 * 1919 - Wilmington, Delaware race riot of 1919
 * 1920 – Population: 110,168.
 * 1921 - City fire department established.
 * 1922 - WDEL and WILM radio begin broadcasting.
 * 1923
 * Wilmington Marine Terminal built.
 * Monument to Caesar Rodney installed in Rodney Square.
 * 1928 - Rodney Court apartment building constructed.
 * 1929 - Wilmington Dry Goods in business.
 * 1930 - Population: 106,597.
 * 1937 - Main Post Office built.
 * 1942 - Crest Theater in business.
 * 1950 – Population: 110,356.
 * 1961 - Burton v. Wilmington Parking Authority lawsuit decided by U.S Supreme Court, broadening the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.
 * 1965 - Wilmington Medical Center active.
 * 1968 - Wilmington Riot of 1968
 * 1981 - State legislature passes the "liberalizing" Financial Center Development Act, influencing the relocation of many banks to the Wilmington area.
 * 1991 - Cinemark cinema in business.
 * 1995 - MBNA Corporation headquartered in city.
 * 1996 - City website online (approximate date).

21st century

 * 2001 - James M. Baker becomes mayor.
 * 2013 - Dennis P. Williams becomes mayor.

Published in the 20th c.

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