Timeline of Glasgow history facts for kids

Glasgow, a famous city in Scotland, has a long and exciting history. From its early days as a small village, it grew into a major city known for its trade, education, and industry. This timeline shares some of the most important moments in Glasgow's past, showing how it became the vibrant place it is today.

Early Beginnings (500s – 1000s)

• 543: People believe that Glasgow's first church was started by Saint Kentigern, also known as Saint Mungo. He is the city's patron saint.
• 560: Saint Mungo was said to have become the first bishop in Glasgow around this time.

Growing as a Town (1100s – 1200s)

• 1114: Glasgow was a small farming village with a church and a water mill. The church became a temporary cathedral.
• 1118: Work began on building a new, bigger cathedral.
• 1136: The new cathedral was officially opened.
• c1150: The "Glasgow Fair," a big eight-day event, started around this time.
• c1175/c1178: Glasgow was given special status as a "burgh" by William the Lion, which helped it grow.
• 1220s: Early jobs in Glasgow included fishermen, millers, bakers, and blacksmiths. Wooden houses began to replace simpler huts.
• 1246: The Dominican order (also called Blackfriars) built a church in the city.
• 1258: The church over Saint Kentigern's grave was finished.
• 1286: A wooden bridge was built across the River Clyde, connecting parts of the town.
• 1293: The church of Saint Mary was built in the town.

Challenges and Changes (1300s – 1400s)

• 1301: Edward I of England visited Saint Kentigern's tomb. Glasgow helped his army by providing a large wooden siege tower and supplies.
• 1350: The terrible Black Death arrived in Glasgow, causing many people to get sick.
• 1380-1381: The Black Death returned to Glasgow.
• c1400: Glasgow's population was estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
• 1410: The wooden bridge over the River Clyde was replaced with a stronger stone bridge.
• 1451: The University of Glasgow was officially started by a special order from the Pope. It was founded by Bishop Turnbull.
• 1453: John Stewart became Glasgow's first Provost, a leader of the town.
• 1460: A grammar school was established in the city.
• 1471: Provands Lordship, the oldest house still standing in Glasgow, was built.
• 1492: Glasgow's church leader was made an Archbishop, which was a very important step for the city.

Growth and Trade (1500s – 1600s)

• c1500: The city's population grew to about 2,500 to 3,000 people.
• 1504: The Bubonic plague affected Glasgow.
• 1516-1559: Different craft groups in the city formed official guilds.
• 1518: The University of Glasgow became more active and important.
• 1556: The population was around 4,500.
• 1560: Glasgow began to be represented in the Parliament of Scotland.
• 1579: The city's cathedral was saved from being torn down by local craftsmen.
• 1581: Glasgow paid a large share of the customs tax for the upper Clyde area.
• 1589: Golf was played on Glasgow Green, a large public park.
• 1594: Glasgow was now the fifth largest city in Scotland.
• 1600: Population estimates for Glasgow ranged from 5,000 to 7,500.
• 1605: The Trades House and Merchants House joined together to form the first town council.
• 1611: Glasgow officially became a "royal burgh," meaning it had special rights from the king. Its population was about 7,600.
• 1625: The first quay (a place for ships to dock) was built at Broomielaw.
• 1626: The Tolbooth, a building used for local government and a jail, was built.
• 1639: Glasgow was the third wealthiest city in Scotland, after Edinburgh.
• 1641: Hutchesons' Grammar School was founded for boys who had lost their parents.
• 1652: A major fire destroyed many homes, making about a thousand families homeless.
• 1655: Glasgow traded in many goods, including coal, herring, salt, and timber.
• 1662: A post office opened in Glasgow.
• 1668: Land was bought for a new harbour, which later became Port Glasgow.
• 1670: Glasgow became Scotland's second biggest trading city.
• 1673: The city's first coffee house opened.
• 1677: Another big fire damaged 130 shops and houses.
• 1678: The first stagecoach services started running between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
• 1680: The city's population was around 12,000.
• 1690: Glasgow was re-chartered as a royal burgh, and a branch of the Bank of Scotland opened.

Trade and Industry Boom (1700s – 1800s)

• 1702: The University of Glasgow had about 400 students.
• 1707: The Act of Union joined Scotland and England, which changed trade for Glasgow.
• 1710: The city's population was around 13,000.
• 1719: Cotton printing began in Glasgow.
• 1720: Glasgow's estimated population reached 15,000.
• 1726: Daniel Defoe described Glasgow as "The cleanest and best-built city in Britain." About 50 ships sailed to America each year.
• 1730: The Glasgow Linen Society was formed.
• 1740: A large amount of linen was made in Glasgow.
• 1745: Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and his army entered the city.
• 1750: There were five sugar refineries in Glasgow.
• 1753: The Foulis Academy was set up at the university to encourage art and design.
• 1755: The estimated population of Glasgow was 23,500.
• 1760: Glasgow experienced a period of great wealth and success.
• 1769: James Watt patented his improved steam engine condenser, a key invention for the Industrial Revolution.
• 1775: Trade with America in tobacco, sugar, and cotton was at its peak, making Glasgow very prosperous.
• 1776: Adam Smith, a professor at Glasgow University, published his famous book Wealth of Nations.
• 1780: The estimated population of Glasgow was 42,000. The Forth and Clyde Canal was completed, improving transport.
• 1783: The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce was founded, the first of its kind in Britain.
• 1794: The Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospital opened.
• 1796: The Royal Technical College (which later became The University of Strathclyde) was founded.

Victorian Era and Modernization (1800s – 1900s)

• 1800: The River Clyde was deepened, allowing more ships to use its wharves.
• 1800: The Glasgow Police Act created Britain's first modern police force.
• 1807: The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery opened.
• 1814: Glasgow Green became Europe's first public park.
• 1818: Gas street lights began to be used in the city.
• 1825: The University of Glasgow had over 1,200 students.
• 1828: James Beaumont Neilson made an important discovery in iron-smelting.
• 1842: The Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway opened, connecting the two major cities. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens moved to its current location.
• 1846: Glasgow's city boundaries more than doubled in size.
• 1851: Glasgow became Scotland's largest city, with a population of 329,096.
• 1859: The Loch Katrine water supply was opened by Queen Victoria, providing clean water to the city.
• 1866: The City Improvement Trust began to clear slums and build new roads.
• 1867: Queen's Park F.C. football club was founded.
• 1868-1870: New buildings for the University of Glasgow were constructed at Gilmorehill.
• 1872: Rangers F.C. football club was founded. Glasgow's first tram line was established.
• 1876: Partick Thistle F.C. football club was founded.
• 1877: The Mitchell Library, a large public library, opened.
• 1883: The Boys' Brigade, a youth organization, was founded.
• 1887: Celtic F.C. football club was founded.
• 1888: The International Exhibition (1888) was held in Glasgow, attracting many visitors.
• 1891: The city's boundaries were extended again, and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens became owned by the city.
• 1896: The Glasgow Subway, one of the oldest underground railways in the world, opened.

Twentieth Century and Beyond (1900s – 2020s)

• 1901: Another large International Exhibition took place.
• 1902: A tragic accident at Ibrox Stadium caused the deaths of 25 football fans.
• 1903: Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed the famous Willow Tearooms.
• 1909: Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art building opened.
• 1911: Glasgow's population reached 785,000.
• 1919: A large strike for shorter working hours led to a protest known as the Battle of George Square.
• 1925: Glasgow had about 200 miles of tramlines and 1,100 trams.
• 1929: A cinema fire caused a stampede, leading to the deaths of 69 children.
• 1931: Glasgow's population reached its highest point at 1,088,000, making it Britain's second biggest city.
• 1935: Glasgow's subway became electric.
• 1938: Glasgow hosted the Empire Exhibition, Scotland 1938 at Bellahouston Park.
• 1940: Bombs hit Merkland Street subway station during World War II.
• 1941: Heavy bombing raids on Clydebank killed 500 people.
• 1958: William Burrell left his amazing art collection, the Burrell Collection, to the city.
• 1960: Dame Jean Roberts became Glasgow's first female Lord Provost (city leader).
• 1962: The last of Glasgow's trams stopped running.
• 1964: The University of Strathclyde was established.
• 1967: Celtic F.C. became the first British team to win the European Cup. The famous liner Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched on the Clyde.
• 1970: The M8 motorway and Kingston Bridge opened, improving road travel.
• 1971: Another tragic accident at Ibrox Stadium killed 66 Rangers F.C. fans.
• 1977: The Glasgow Subway closed for a big modernization project, reopening in 1980.
• 1983: The Burrell Collection museum opened. The "Glasgow's miles better" campaign was launched to promote the city.
• 1985: The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre opened.
• 1988: The Glasgow Garden Festival attracted 4.3 million visitors.
• 1990: Glasgow was named the European Capital of Culture. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was completed.
• 1993: Glasgow Caledonian University was established. The new St Mungo's Museum, focusing on religion, opened.
• 1996: The Gallery of Modern Art opened.
• 1999: Glasgow was named UK City of Architecture and Design.

Twenty-First Century (2000s – Present)

• 2002: The final of the UEFA Champion's League was held at Hampden Park.
• 2004: A factory explosion at Stockline Plastics caused nine deaths and many injuries.
• 2005: Glasgow launched its bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• 2006: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum reopened after a major restoration.
• 2007: Glasgow was awarded the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• 2012: Glasgow hosted preliminary football matches for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• 2014: The Glasgow School of Art library was largely destroyed by a fire.
• 2014: The 2014 Commonwealth Games took place in Glasgow, a huge event for the city.
• 2014: In the Scottish independence referendum, Glasgow voted to become an independent country, but the national vote was against it.
• 2016: In the UK European Union membership referendum, Glasgow voted to remain in the EU, but the UK voted to leave.
• 2018: A second fire broke out at the Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow hosted several major sporting events as part of the 2018 European Championships.
• 2021: COP26, a major UN Climate Change Conference, was held in Glasgow. Hampden Park hosted matches for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.