Timeline of Derby facts for kids

Welcome to a timeline of Derby, a city in England! This page will take you on a journey through Derby's exciting past, from ancient times to today. You'll discover key moments, important people, and how the city grew and changed over centuries.

Derby's Early History

• 9th Century: The Danes, a group of people from Northern Europe, took control of the town around this time.
• 917:
  • Æthelflæd, known as the Lady of the Mercians, led successful battles to push the Danes out of the area.
  • A busy market was already active in Derby, showing it was an important place for trade.
• 1160: Derby School was started around this year.
• 1206: Derby received its first official document, called a charter, which gave the town special rights.
• 1229:
  • King Henry III gave Derby a second charter, adding more rights and freedoms.
  • A lively fair was held in Derby, where people could buy and sell goods and enjoy entertainment.
• 1294: Derby began to have its own representatives in the English Parliament, giving its people a voice in the government.
• 1337: King Edward III allowed the citizens of Derby to choose two bailiffs, who were like local officials, to help run the town.
• 1530: The tall tower of All Saints' Church was built. This church later became Derby Cathedral.
• 1592: The town faced a terrible outbreak of the plague, a serious disease.
• 1611: King James I officially made Derby a corporation, giving it more power to govern itself.
• 1638: Henry Mellor became the Mayor of Derby.
• 1660: County Hall, an important building for local government, was constructed.
• 1665: Another serious outbreak of the plague hit Derby.
• 1675: The Derby Company of Mercers was formed. This was a group of merchants who traded in fine fabrics.
• 1696: Osmaston Hall, a large house, was built.

The 18th Century in Derby

• 1717: John Lombe brought a new way of making silk thread, called "throwing" or spinning, to Derby.
• 1721: Lombe's Mill, a famous silk mill, was built. It was one of the first modern factories in Britain.
• 1726: The Derby Postman newspaper started being published.
• 1731: The Town Hall was built around this time.
• 1732: The Derby Mercury newspaper began publication.
• 1735: On July 9, the famous writer Samuel Johnson got married at St Werburgh's Church.
• 1745:
  • On December 4, the Jacobite army arrived in Derby. They were trying to put Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne.
  • On December 5, the Jacobites met at Exeter House and decided to turn back to Scotland instead of marching on to London.
• 1750:
  • The Derby Porcelain Company, famous for its beautiful pottery, started its business.
  • Markeaton Hall, another large house, was built around this year.
  • The making of hosiery (like socks and stockings) became very profitable thanks to new inventions by Jedediah Strutt.
• 1756: A county prison was built in Nun's Green.
• 1772: The New Jerusalem Chapel was built.
• 1773: A theatre was built in Derby, providing entertainment for the town.
• 1774: An assembly room, used for social gatherings and dances, was built.
• 1783: The Derby Philosophical Society was founded. This was a group of thinkers and scientists who met to discuss new ideas.
• 1796: The Derby Canal was built, making it easier to transport goods by water.

Derby in the 19th Century

• 1802: The General Baptist Chapel was built.
• 1805: The King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was constructed.
• 1808:
  • The Derby Literary and Philosophical Society was set up.
  • A Friends' Meeting House, for Quakers, was built.
• 1809: The Cox and Co. shot mill was built.
• 1810: An infirmary, which was a type of hospital, was built.
• 1811:
  • A Permanent Library was established, giving people access to books.
  • The population of Derby was 13,043 people.
• 1817: The Derby Choral Society was formed, bringing people together to sing.
• 1820: The Swedenborgian Chapel was built.
• 1823: The Derby Reporter newspaper began publication.
• 1824: The New Connexion Chapel was built.
• 1825: The Mechanics' Institution was established, offering education to working people.
• 1828:
  • The Town Hall was rebuilt after being damaged.
  • St. John's Church opened its doors.
• 1832: The Town and County Library was established.
• 1833: A labour strike took place, as workers protested for better conditions.
• 1835: Joseph Strutt, a well-known helper of the community, was elected mayor.
• 1836:
  • A police force was set up to keep the peace. The Derby Town and County Museum and Natural History Society was also established.
  • Trinity Church was officially opened.
• 1837: The Mechanics' Hall opened, providing a place for the Mechanics' Institution.
• 1839:
  • In May, the companies that would form the Midland Railway began operating trains.
  • The Derby Exhibition was held, showcasing local industries and arts.
  • St Mary's Church was built.
• 1840:
  • Derby railway station, a major transport hub, opened.
  • The Derby Arboretum, one of the first public parks in England, also opened.
  • Christ Church opened.
  • The Athenaeum, a building for learning and culture, was built around this time.
• 1841: The Derby Baptist Chapel on St Mary's Gate opened.
• 1842: The Arboretum Festival began, celebrating the new park.
• 1843:
  • The General Cemetery and Vernon Street Prison started operating.
  • The Primitive Methodist Chapel was built.
  • An Agricultural Show was held.
• 1844: The Midland Railway company was officially formed.
• 1846: St Alkmund's Church was built.
• 1850: The Derby Co-operative Society was established, a group that helped people buy goods together.
• 1856: John Smith, a famous clockmaker, started his business.
• 1862: The Corn Exchange opened, a place where grain was traded.
• 1863: The County Cricket Ground was established for cricket matches.
• 1866: A new market hall opened, providing a covered space for traders.
• 1870: The Derbyshire County Cricket Club was formed.
• 1878: In April, the Great Northern Railway opened its line through Friargate railway station.
• 1879:
  • The Derby Free Library and Museum opened, offering books and exhibits to the public.
  • The Derby Daily Telegraph and Reporter newspaper began publication.
• 1882: An art gallery opened, displaying works of art.
• 1884: Derby County F.C. was started as a football club, connected to the cricket club.
• 1886: On May 6, the Grand Theatre sadly burned down.
• 1887: The Derby Sketching Club was formed for artists.
• 1888: Derby became a County Borough, giving it more local power.
• 1891: The population of Derby reached 94,146 people.
• 1895:
  • The Midland Railway Institute was built.
  • Derby County football club moved to play their games at the Baseball Ground.
• 1899: Derby Technical College was founded, offering technical education.

Derby in the 20th Century

• 1901: The population of Derby grew to 114,848 people.
• 1902: Derby Municipal Secondary School for Boys opened.
• 1908: Rolls-Royce Limited, a famous car and aero-engine company, set up its main office in Derby on Nightingale Road.
• 1910:
  • The Victoria Electric Theatre opened.
  • The Cosmopolitan Public Hall was built.
• 1918: The British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Company built a factory in Derby.
• 1927: Derby Cathedral was officially established (it used to be All Saints Church) for the new Bishop of Derby.
• 1930: Bemrose School opened.
• 1971:
  • Rolls-Royce Limited faced financial trouble and was taken over by the government.
  • BBC Radio Derby began broadcasting, bringing local news and music to the area.
• 1972: Derby County football club became Football League Champions for the 1971-72 season.
• 1974: The Derby Industrial Museum opened, showing the city's industrial past.
• 1975:
  • The Derby Playhouse theatre opened.
  • The Eagle Centre shopping centre started its business.
  • Derby County became League Champions again!
• 1977: Derby was officially given City status as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee celebrations.
• 1981: There was some social unrest in the city.
• 1988: The Pickford's House Museum of Georgian Life and Costume was established.
• 1992:
  • The University of Derby was established, offering higher education.
  • The Derby Heritage Centre opened.
• 1995: Derby Grammar School was founded.
• 1997: Pride Park Stadium, the new home of Derby County, opened.
• 1998: The Bronze Age Hanson Log Boat, a very old boat made from a tree trunk, was found near the town.

Derby in the 21st Century

• 2007: The Saint Alkmund's Way Footbridge opened.
• 2009: The Cathedral Green Footbridge opened.
• 2011: The population of Derby was 248,700 people.
• 2012: On May 11, the Allenton house fire occurred.