Timeline of Doha

Prior to 20th century

1681 - Earliest documented mention of Al Bidda (now part of Doha).

1801 - Earliest description of Al Bidda and first attempt by the British to attack the city.

1820 - Population: 10,000 (estimate).

1821 - Al Bidda bombarded by the British as punishment for piracy.

1820s - Doha founded as an offshoot of Al Bidda.

1823 - Doha is mapped for the first time.

1828 - Ruling tribe of Doha have their fort bombarded by the Al Khalifa and are evicted from the town.

1841 - Al Bidda bombarded by the British as punishment for harboring pirate Jasim bin Jabir.

1848–50 - Al Thani family migrate to Doha.

1850 - Turkish fort built.

1852 - Economic blockade placed on Doha and Al Bidda by the Al Khalifa.

1867 - Doha sacked during the Qatari–Bahraini War.

1871 - Doha occupied by Turks.

1893

Al Bidda townspeople fired at indiscriminately by the Ottoman troops during the Battle of Al Wajbah.

Population: 6,000 (estimate).

20th century

1901 - Fariq Al-Salata Palace built.

1910 - Barzan Tower built near Doha.

1927 - Al Koot Fort built.

1952

Establishment of first formal boys' school.

Population: 10,000 (estimate).

1955 - Establishment of first formal girls' school.

1969

Al Sadd Sports Club formed.

Government House built.

1971 - Doha officially declared as the capital city of Qatar.

1972 - Emiri Diwan (palace) built.

1973 - Qatar University opened in Doha.

1975

Qatar News Agency headquartered in city.

Qatar National Museum opens in the Fariq Al-Salata Palace.

1976 - National Stadium opens.

1977 - Qatar University active.

1978 - Gulf Times begins publication.

1981 - Persian Gulf States Folk Heritage Center established.

1983

Doha Zoo built.

A 15-storey Sheraton hotel building, the tallest structure in Doha until 1997, is built.

1985 - Said Bin Sumich Mosque built.

1988 - American School of Doha established.

1995 - FIFA World Youth Championship is hosted exclusively in Doha-based stadiums.

1996

Al Jazeera television begins broadcasting.

Doha Golf Club opens.

1997 - Doha British School opens.

21st century

2000 - Landmark Mall Doha in business.

2001 - November: World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2001 held in Doha; "Doha Declaration" adopted.

2002 - Al Jazeera Academy opens.

2005

Doha Sports City opens.

Doha Modern Indian School established.

2006

December: 2006 Asian Games held in Doha.

Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre established (approximate date).

Villaggio Mall in business.

Development of The Pearl-Qatar artificial island begins.

Qatar Canadian School and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar art gallery established.

2007

Doha bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics announced.

Aspire Tower built.

Dubai Towers Doha construction begins.

2008

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha opens.

Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition begins.

Tornado Tower built.

Souq Waqif (market) reconstructed.

2009

Doha Tribeca Film Festival begins.

Doha News blog begins publication.

Commercialbank Plaza and Al Fardan Residences built.

Al Quds Endowment Tower and Qatar National Bank Tower construction begins.

2010

Mathaf museum opens.

Population: 796,947.

Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid selected.

Katara Cultural Village opens.

2011

December: 2011 Pan Arab Games held in Doha.

Boeing office in business.

2012

February: National Sports Day begins.[1]

28 May: Fire at Villaggio Mall.

Burj Qatar built.

Air pollution in Doha reaches annual mean of 93 PM2.5 and 168 PM10, much higher than recommended.

2013

Qatar Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics headquartered in Doha.

Statue of Zidane installed on the Corniche, then removed.

2014 - Hamad International Airport begins operating.

2016 - 8 March: Tiger roams free on Doha Expressway; later recaptured.