Timeline of Duisburg

Prior to 20th century

1290 - Duisburg becomes part of Cleves.

1361 - Town Hall first mentioned.

1415 - Saviour's Church, Duisburg new building construction begins.

1559 - Geographer Mercator moves to Duisburg.

1587 - Municipal charter granted.

1609 - Elector of Brandendburg in power.

1655 - University founded.

1687 - St. Sebastianus Schützenbruderschaft Duisburg-Huckingen (militia) active (approximate date).

1714 - Population: 2,983.

1798 - Population: 4,530.

1802 - University closed.

1842 - Sluice harbour built in the Duisburg-Ruhrort Harbour.

1846 - Cologne–Duisburg railway begins operating.

1848 - Eintracht Duisburg 1848 sportclub founded.

1853 - Duisberger Gesangverein (singing group) formed.

1864 - Population: 14,368.

1866 - Oberhausen–Duisburg-Ruhrort railway in operation.

1871 - Gewerkschaft Deutscher Kaiser coal mine begins operating in Hamborn.

1873 - Duisburg-Hochfeld Railway Bridge built.

1880 - Population: 41,242.

1881 - Horsecar tram begins operating.

1887 - Duisburg Concert Hall built.

1890

Kaiser Harbour built.

Population: 59,285.

1895 - Population: 70,272.

1897 - Electric tram begins operating.

1898 - Statue of William I erected on the Kaiserberg (Duisburg).

1900-1945

1900 - Population: 92,730.

1901 - City Hall and Shipping Exchange built.

1902 - Kultur- und Stadthistorisches Museum Duisburg founded.

1905

Meiderich and Ruhrort become part of city.

Botanischer Garten der Stadt Duisburg (garden) established.

Population: 192,346.

Bismarck monument erected on Königstraße (Duisburg).

1907 - Rhine Bridge built.

1912 - Theater Duisburg built.

1917 - Hochfeld Water Tower built.

1919 - Population: 244,302.

1921 - Wedaustadion (stadium) built.

1929 - Hamborn becomes part of city.

1930 - Population: 441,158.

1934 - Duisburg Zoo founded.

1940 - Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft (transit entity) established.

1941 - Bombing of Duisburg in World War II begins.

1946-1990s

1950 - Brücke der Solidarität and Schwanentorbrücke bridges built.

1954 - Friedrich Ebert Bridge built.

1956 - Deutsche Oper am Rhein opera company established.

1960 - Church of Our Lady, Duisburg built.

1961 - Population: 504,975.

1963 - Berlin Bridge, Duisburg built.

1964 - Lehmbruck-Museum of modern art opens.

1966 - Kreuz Kaiserberg roadway spaghetti junction opens.

1968 - University of Duisburg established.

1970 - Filmforum Duisburg opens.

1971 - Rheinbrücke Neuenkamp (bridge) built.

1975

Homberg, Rheinhausen, Rumeln-Kaldenhausen, and Walsum become part of city.

Josef Krings becomes mayor.

1977 - Duisburger Akzente cultural festival and Duisburger Filmwoche movie festival begin.

1980 - Bundesautobahn 42 (roadway) opens.

1981 - Rhein-Ruhr-Marathon begins.

1982 - Duisburg City Archive moves to Karmelplatz.

1985 - Thyssen plant closes.

1988 - Duisburger Tanztage dance festival begins.

1990 - Annual Duisburg Music Prize begins.

1992 - U-Bahnhof Rathaus (Duisburg) opens.

1997 - Bärbel Zieling becomes mayor.

1999

Duisburg Synagogue built.

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord created.

21st century

2003 - University of Duisburg-Essen active.

2004 - Adolf Sauerland becomes mayor.

2007

August: Italian organized-crime murders occur in Duisburg.

Mercatorhalle rebuilt.

2008

Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs Marxloh Mosque built.

Forum Duisburg shopping mall opens.

2009

January: Duisburg flag dispute

30 August: 2009 Duisburg election held.

2010

24 July: Love Parade disaster.

Population: 489,599.

2011 - Tiger and Turtle – Magic Mountain sculpture erected in the Angerpark.

2012 - Sören Link becomes mayor.