Timeline of Dakar

Prior to 20th century

1857

Gorée merchants settle in Dakar.

French build fort on Dakar Point.

1863 - Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Senegambia established.

1872 - Town becomes part of the commune of Gorée.

1885 - Rue Blanchot mosque built (approximate date).

1887

Dakar commune formed.

Jean Alexandre becomes mayor.

1888 - Dakar–Saint-Louis railway begins operating.

1891 - Population: 8,737.

20th century

1902 - Dakar becomes capital of French West Africa.

1903 - Hann Park created.

1904 - Population: 18,447.

1905 - Brest-Dakar telegraph in operation.

1907

Government Palace built.

L'A.O.F. newspaper begins publication.

1908 - Harbor constructed.

1913

Democratie du Senegal newspaper begins publication.

National Archives of Senegal formed.

1914

Train station opens.

Bubonic plague epidemic.

1918 - French West Africa School of Medicine established.

1920 - Blaise Diagne becomes mayor.

1921 - Population: 32,440.

1924 - Dakar–Niger Railway begins operating.

1926 - Population: 33,679.

1929

Gorée annexed to Dakar.

Société des brasseries de l'Ouest africain formed.

1933

Paris-Dakar newspaper begins publication.

Foyer France Sénégal football club formed.

1934 - Armand-Pierre Angrand becomes mayor.

1936 - Catholic Cathédrale du Souvenir africain de Dakar built.

1938 - Institut Français d’Afrique Noire and museum founded.

1940 - Battle of Dakar.

1940s - Mama Casset photo studio in business.

1944 - Thiaroye Massacre.

1950 - Cours Sainte Marie de Hann founded.

1957 - University of Dakar established.

1959

City becomes capital of Mali Federation.

French Cultural Centre created.

1960 - École de Dakar (art) movement active.

1961 - Dakar-Matin newspaper begins publication.

1962 - House of Slaves (Gorée) museum opens.

1963 - December: Political demonstration; crackdown.

1964 - Dakar Grand Mosque built.

1966

Daniel Sorano Theatre opens (approximate date).

Amity Stadium opens (approximate date).

World Festival of Black Arts held.

1970

Le Soleil newspaper begins publication.

Club Baobab opens.

1972 - Enda Third World and Centre Culturel Régional Blaise Senghor established.

1973 - Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa headquartered in Dakar.

1974 - Laboratoire Agit'Art (art group) formed.

1975 - Association Nationale des Bibliothécaires, Archivistes et Documentalistes Senegalais headquartered in city.

1978 - Dakar Rally motor vehicle race begins.

1984

Mamadou Diop becomes mayor.

WalFadjri newspaper begins publication.

1989

Musée historique du Sénégal à Gorée opens.

Ethnic violence.

1990

Dakar Biennale begins.

Public library established.

Population: 1,405,000 (urban agglomeration).

1993 - Sud Quotidien begins publication.

1994

Henriette-Bathily Women's Museum opens.

Kermel market burns down.

1995 - Population: 1,688,000 (urban agglomeration).

1996

Municipal administration divided into 19 communes d'arrondissement.

City becomes part of Dakar Department, Dakar Region.

Musée des Forces Armées Senegalaise established.

1997

Media Centre de Dakar in operation.

Mosquée de la Divinité built.

1998 - Doole community exchange system established.

1999 - Festival international du film de quartier de Dakar begins.

21st century

2000 - Population: 2,029,000 (urban agglomeration).

2001 - Student protests.

2002 - Pape Diop becomes mayor.

2003

Le Quotidien newspaper begins publication.

West Africa Democracy Radio begins broadcasting.

2005 - Population: 2,434,000 (urban agglomeration), 1,030,594 (city).

2006 - City hosts African Swimming Championships.

2007 - June: Economic protest.

2008 - Raw Material Company (art space) founded.

2009

City website online (approximate date).

Khalifa Sall becomes mayor.

2010 - African Renaissance Monument dedicated.

2011

City hosts World Social Forum and ICANN conference.

Google office in business.

Population: 3,035,000.

2013

June: U.S. President Obama visits city.

Air pollution in Dakar reaches annual mean of 34 PM2.5 and 141 PM10, much higher than recommended.

2014 - Statue of Léopold Sédar Senghor installed.