Timeline of Reykjavík

Prior to 20th century

1750s - Innréttingarnar textile workshops established.

1752 - Aðalstræti 10 (house) built.

1771 - Prison begins operating.

1785 - "Skálholt bishop's seat is moved to Reykjavik."

1786

Town charter granted by Danish government.

Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík (school) active.

1796 - Lutheran Reykjavík Cathedral built.

1798 - Althingi (Icelandic assembly) relocated to Reykjavik from Þingvellir.

1800

6 June: Althingi abolished.

11 July: "A new high court in Reykjavik takes over the responsibilities of Althingi."

1801 - Lutheran Bishop of Iceland headquartered in Reykjavik.

1816 - Icelandic Literary Society founded.

1825 - Icelandic National Library begins operating.

1845 - Althingi active again.

1846 - Latin School relocated to Reykjavik from Bessastaðir.

1847 - Theological seminary established.

1848 - Þjóðólfur newspaper begins publication.

1872 - Eymundsson bookshop in business.

1874

1000th anniversary of colonization.

Thorvaldsen statue erected in Austurvöllur.

1876 - Medical school opens.

1879 - Icelandic Archaeological Society founded.

1881 - Alþingishúsið (parliament house) built.

1882 - Hótel Ísland in business.

1886 - Landsbanki (bank) established.

1890 - Population: 6,700 in town; 70,927 on island.

1896 - Dagskrá daily newspaper begins publication.

1897 - Reykjavík Theatre Company founded.

1899 - Reykjavik Football Club formed.

20th century

1903

Office of Danish minister for Iceland relocated to Reykjavík from Copenhagen.

Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík (church) built.

1904 - Íslandsbanki (1904) (bank) established.

1906 - Fjalakötturinn cinema opens on Aðalstræti (street).

1907 - Reykjavik Athletic club formed.

1908 - Women's suffrage takes effect in Reykjavik.

1909 - National Library building opens.

1911

University of Iceland established.

1911 Iceland industrial fair held.

1912 - Route 41 (Iceland) (Keflavík-Reykjavik) constructed.

1913 - Morgunblaðið daily newspaper begins publication.

1914 - Eimskipafélag Íslands (steamship company) founded.

1915

January: Prohibition in Iceland begins.

25 April: Reykjavik fire of 1915.

1916

Icelandic Federation of Labour headquartered in Reykjavik.

Social Democratic Party (Iceland) founded in Reykjavik.

1918 - January: Danish–Icelandic Act of Union signed in the Alþingishúsið.

1919 - Population: 16,154.

1925 - Reykjavík City Orchestra formed (approximate date).

1927 - Gamla bíó (cinema) active.

1929 - Landakotskirkja (church) built.

1930

Rikisutvarpid radio headquartered in Reykjavík.

National Hospital opens.

Reykjavík College of Music established.

Garnaslagurinn (labor dispute) occurs.

Hótel Borg in business.

Population: 28,052.

1932 - 9 November: Gúttóslagurinn (labor dispute) occurs.

1940 - May: British occupation begins.

1943 - Listamannaskálinn (exhibit hall) built on Kirkjustræti (street).

1944

Reykjavík becomes capital of Republic of Iceland.

Hotel Winston built.

1946 - Civilian Reykjavík Airport in operation.

1947 - Austurbæjarbíó (cinema) built.

1949 - March: 1949 anti-NATO riot in Iceland.

1950

Iceland Symphony Orchestra formed.

Population: 55,980.

1957 - Árbæjarsafn (history museum) founded.

1961 - Háskólabíó (cinema) in business.

1965

Landsvirkjun (national power company) established.

Laugardalshöll (arena) opens.

1970 - Population: 81,693.

1968 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Reykjavík established.

1972 - World Chess Championship 1972 held in city.

1975 - 24 October: Women's rights demonstration.

1981 - House of commerce built.

1986

August: City bicentennial.

October: USSR-USA summit held in city.

9 November: Ships sunk in Reykjavik Harbor by environmentalist Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Hallgrímskirkja (church) built.

Sister city relationship established with Seattle, USA.

1987 - Bíóborgin (cinema) active.

1996 - Supreme Court of Iceland courthouse built.

1998 - Population: 106,753.

1999

Reykjavik Power Authority (utility) formed.

Iceland Airwaves music festival begins.

21st century

2000 - Landspítali (hospital) established.

2002 - Reykjavík Mosque opens.

2005 - Population: 114,800 in city; 187,105 metro.

2007

18 April: 2007 Reykjavik fire

Dagur Bergþóruson Eggertsson becomes mayor.

Grand Hótel Reykjavík tower built.

2008

October: Icelandic financial crisis protest begins.

Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir becomes mayor.

2009

2009 Icelandic financial crisis protests.

Höfðatorg Tower 1 built.

2010

29 May: Reykjavík City Council election, 2010 held.

Jón Gnarr becomes mayor.

Vatnsstígur 16-18 hi-rise built.

2011 - Harpa (concert hall) opens.

2012 - Population: 117,764 in city; 203,678 metro.

2014 - Dagur Bergþóruson Eggertsson becomes mayor again.