Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wilmington, Delaware, United States.
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".
- 1739
- * William Shipley becomes [List of mayors of Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington, Delaware|burgess] of Wilmington.
- * Shipbuilding industry begins.
- 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.
21st century
- 2001 - James M. Baker becomes mayor.
- 2013 - Dennis P. Williams becomes mayor.
- 2024 - John Carney becomes mayor.
Published in the 18th–19th c.
*Published in the 20th c.
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