Timeline of Greensboro, North Carolina facts for kids

Greensboro, North Carolina, has a rich and interesting history! This timeline will take you on a journey through the city's past, from its early days to important events that shaped it into the vibrant place it is today. You'll learn about when key buildings were built, when big changes happened, and how the city grew over time.

Early Years: Before the 1900s

• 1808 – The town of Greensboro was officially started in Guilford County.
• 1824 – The First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro was founded.
• 1826 – The Patriot newspaper began printing the news.
• 1827 – Buffalo Presbyterian Church was built.
• 1834 – Guilford College received its official charter.
• 1873 – Bennett College was founded.
• 1877 – The Chamber of Commerce was created.
• 1884 – The city's population reached 5,538 people.
• 1890 – The Daily Record newspaper started publishing.
• 1891
  • The State Normal and Industrial School was established. This school is now known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
  • The Julius I. Foust Building was constructed.
• 1900 – The population grew to 10,035 people.

The 20th Century: Big Changes

• 1902 – Palmer Memorial Institute was founded in nearby Sedalia.
• 1905 – The City Board of Health was created to help keep people healthy.
• 1906
  • The Greensboro Public Library building was constructed.
  • The City Fire Commission was established to manage fire services.
• 1909
  • The Greensboro Daily News newspaper began publication.
  • The Greensboro Country Club was founded.
• 1917 – Guilford Courthouse National Military Park was established. This park protects the site of an important Revolutionary War battle.
• 1920 – The population grew to 19,861 people.
• 1922 – The United Way of Greater Greensboro was founded. It was first called the "Greensboro Community Chest."
• 1924 – The Greensboro Historical Museum was established.
• 1926
  • The World War Memorial Stadium was dedicated.
  • WBIG radio began broadcasting.
• 1927 – Lindley Field, an airfield, was established. This later became part of the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
• 1931 – The Paramount Theatre opened for movies and shows.
• 1936 – April: A large tornado outbreak affected the area.
• 1940 – The population reached 59,319 people.
• 1949 – WFMY-TV began broadcasting television programs.
• 1950 – The population grew to 74,389 people.

Key Moments in the Mid-20th Century

• 1957 – June: A court case called Simkins v. City of Greensboro was decided. This case was important for civil rights.
• 1959 – The Greensboro Coliseum opened. It is a large arena used for sports and concerts.
• 1960
  • The Greensboro sit-ins happened. These were peaceful protests for civil rights, where students sat at a segregated lunch counter.
  • The population reached 119,574 people.
• 1967
  • The Greensboro Inner City Ministry was established.
  • The Carolina Peacemaker newspaper began publication.
• 1968 – Greensboro Beautiful, a nonprofit organization, was established to make the city more attractive.
• 1969
  • Jack Elam became the mayor of Greensboro.
  • May: The 1969 Greensboro uprising occurred.
• 1970 – The population reached 144,076 people.
• 1971 – Jim Melvin became mayor.

Progress and Growth: Late 20th Century

• 1979 – November 3: An event known as the Greensboro massacre occurred.
• 1981
  • Aggie Stadium opened.
  • John Forbis became mayor.
• 1982 – A new terminal was built at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
• 1984 – The News & Record newspaper was in publication.
• 1987 – June: A march by a group known as the Ku Klux Klan took place, along with an opposing protest.
• 1990 – The population reached 183,521 people.
• 1993 – Carolyn Allen became the first female mayor of Greensboro.
• 1997 – The city's official website went online.
• 1999 – Keith Holliday became mayor.

The 21st Century: Modern Greensboro

• 2005 – NewBridge Bank Park, a stadium, opened.
• 2007 – Yvonne Johnson became the first African-American person elected mayor of Greensboro.
• 2009 – Bill Knight became mayor.
• 2010
  • The International Civil Rights Center and Museum opened.
  • The population reached 269,666 people.
• 2011 – Robbie Perkins became mayor.
• 2013 – Nancy Vaughan became mayor.
• 2014 – Jim Westmoreland became the city manager.
• 2015 – Mark Walker became the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 6th congressional district.