Timeline of Dundee history facts for kids

The city of Dundee has a long and exciting history, stretching back over 800 years! It's a place where kings fought, new ideas were born, and industries grew. Let's take a journey through time to see some of the most important moments in Dundee's past.

Early History: From Castles to Conflicts (1100s – 1700s)

Dundee's story began long ago. In 1190**, the Dundee Parish Church was built, becoming an important part of the community. Around **1200, King William the Lion gave his brother, David, Earl of Huntingdon, control over Dundee and its busy port. This was a big step for the town.

Battles and Sieges

Dundee's castle played a key role in many battles. In 1296**, Dundee Castle was taken by the English. But the very next year, in **1297, the famous Scottish hero William Wallace fought and captured it back! He even appointed Alexander Scrymgeour as its keeper.

However, the English took the castle again in 1306**. Then, in **1313, Robert the Bruce decided to destroy Dundee Castle completely to stop it from being used by his enemies.

More trouble came in 1385** when John of Gaunt and the English army attacked and partly destroyed the town. Later, in **1651, during a time of great unrest, George Monck attacked and took over Dundee on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. This was a very difficult time for the people of Dundee.

Important People and Places

Despite the conflicts, Dundee continued to grow. In 1465**, Hector Boece, a Scottish thinker and historian, was born here. Later, in **1518, James Halyburton, a Scottish reformer and leader of the town for 33 years, was also born in Dundee.

The city also saw the creation of important places. The Howff, a historic burial ground, was established in 1564**. Dudhope Castle was made bigger in **1580**. By **1645, Dundee had an estimated population of 11,200 people.

Towards the end of this period, in 1797**, James Keiller & Son, a famous jam and marmalade factory, opened its doors. This was a sweet start to Dundee's industrial future. The Dundee Infirmary, a hospital, also opened in **1798 to care for the sick.

A Century of Growth and Innovation (1800s)

The 1800s were a time of huge change and growth for Dundee. New industries, transport, and public spaces transformed the city.

Newspapers and Famous Writers

In 1801**, The Courier newspaper began, keeping people informed. A very famous writer, Mary Shelley, moved to Dundee from London in **1812. Her time in the city actually helped inspire her to write her classic novel, Frankenstein!

Healthcare and Inventions

Healthcare continued to improve. In 1819**, the Dundee Infirmary became the "Dundee Royal Infirmary and Asylum." Then, in **1820**, the Dundee Asylum became a separate hospital. A new Dundee Royal Infirmary building opened in **1855.

Dundee was also a place of amazing inventions. In 1834**, James Chalmers showed off his idea for the adhesive postage stamp to the public. The next year, in **1835, James Bowman Lindsay showed off a constant electric light at a public meeting.

The Jute Industry and Transport

The year 1835 was also when the first jute materials arrived in Dundee. This marked the beginning of the city's huge jute trade, which would make Dundee famous around the world.

Transport also boomed. The Dundee and Newtyle Railway opened in 1831**, followed by the Dundee and Arbroath Railway in **1838**, and the Dundee and Perth Railway in **1847.

Landmarks and Disasters

Many important buildings were completed, like St Andrew's Cathedral in 1836** and St Mary, Our Lady of Victories Church in **1851**. The beautiful Royal Arch was finished in **1853** to celebrate a visit from Queen Victoria. St Paul's Cathedral was completed in **1855.

Public spaces also grew. Baxter Park opened in 1863**. Balgay Hill and Victoria Park became public parks in **1870**. The McManus Art Gallery and Museum opened in **1867, giving people a place to enjoy art and history.

A huge engineering feat was the first Tay Rail Bridge, which opened in 1878**. Sadly, it collapsed in the terrible Tay Bridge Disaster in **1879**, killing around 75 people. A second Tay Rail Bridge was built and opened in **1887.

Education and City Status

Education became very important. The University of Dundee was established in 1881** as University College, Dundee. Abertay University was also founded in **1888 as Dundee Institute of Technology.

In 1889**, Dundee made history by becoming the first Scottish city to be officially granted city status. By **1891, Dundee's population had grown to 153,587 people.

Modern Dundee: From Comics to Culture (1900s – Present)

The 20th and 21st centuries saw Dundee continue to evolve, becoming a hub for media, technology, and culture.

Media and War

In 1905**, the famous publishing company DC Thomson was established. They would later create beloved comics like The Beano, first published in **1938.

Dundee also faced challenges. In 1906**, a large fire broke out in a whisky warehouse. During World War I, in **1915, the 4th (City of Dundee) Battalion Black Watch suffered many losses at the Battle of Loos.

New Buildings and Industries

The impressive Caird Hall concert auditorium was officially opened in 1923**. A war memorial was opened at the top of Dundee Law in **1925**. The Dundee City Chambers, where the city council works, opened in **1933**. The Mills Observatory, a public observatory, opened in **1935.

The jute industry continued, with the Association of Jute Spinners and Manufacturers founded in 1918**. However, by **1998, the last jute cargo arrived, marking the end of Dundee's long jute trade history.

Changes and New Beginnings

Some old landmarks made way for new ones. The Royal Arch was sadly taken down in 1963**. But new things were built, like Dundee Airport in **1963** and the Tay Road Bridge in **1966.

The University of Dundee gained its independent status in 1967**. A major new hospital, Ninewells Hospital, opened in **1974.

Dundee also became a center for video games. DMA Design was established in 1984**, and they released the popular game Lemmings in **1991**. They later released Grand Theft Auto in **1997**. In **1997, Abertay University introduced the world's first computer games design degree!

Culture and Recognition

The 1990s** and **2000s** brought more cultural landmarks. The Verdant Works Museum, which tells the story of jute, opened in **1996**. The Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre opened in **1999**. The Dundee Science Centre opened in **2000.

In 2014, Dundee was given the special title of UNESCO City of Design, the first city in the UK to receive this honor! This recognized Dundee's creativity and design talent.

A huge new museum, the V&A Dundee Museum, opened in 2018**, bringing even more visitors to the city. In **2021, Dundee was even named the UK's only "City of the Future" by a company called Cognizant.

Dundee continues to be a vibrant and forward-thinking city, building on its rich history while looking to the future.