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Timeline of Miami facts for kids

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Welcome to a timeline of Miami's exciting history! This city in Florida has a rich past, from its early days to becoming a major hub. Discover how Miami grew from a small settlement into the vibrant city it is today.

Miami's Early Days: The 1800s

Founding and First Steps

  • 1870 – William Brickell set up a trading post on the south side of the Miami River. This was an early sign of settlement.
  • 1880 – The county's population was very small, only about 100 people.
  • 1884 – Miami's first hotel, The Peacock Inn, opened in Coconut Grove.
  • 1886
    • Ralph Munroe built a home by the bay in Coconut Grove.
    • Kirk Munroe also made his home in Coconut Grove.
  • 1889 – The first school building in Coconut Grove opened for students.
  • 1891 – Julia Tuttle, an important figure in Miami's history, moved to the area.
  • 1895 – The Pine Needles Club opened the first public library in Coconut Grove.

Becoming an Official City

  • 1896
    • Miami officially became a city! John B. Reilly was chosen as its first mayor.
    • The Florida East Coast Railway arrived, connecting Miami to Jacksonville. This was a huge step for growth.
    • The Miami Metropolis newspaper started publishing.
    • The Biscayne Hotel was built.
  • 1897
    • The grand Royal Palm Hotel welcomed its first guests.
    • The City of Miami Cemetery was established.
  • 1898
    • Burdines, a well-known store, opened for business.
    • David Fairchild created the USDA Plant Introduction Garden.
  • 1899
    • The main government office for Dade County moved to Miami from Juno.
    • Telephone service began in Miami, connecting people like never before.
  • 1900
    • The Flagler Public Library, Miami Board of Trade, and Woman's Club were founded.
    • The city's population grew to 1,681 people.

Miami in the 20th Century

Growing Pains: 1900s-1940s

  • 1903
    • John Sewell became the new mayor.
    • The Ransom Everglades School was established in Coconut Grove.
    • The Miami Herald newspaper began publishing.
  • 1906
    • Streetcars started running, making it easier to get around.
    • An automobile parade showed off the new cars.
  • 1909
    • The City Hall building was completed.
    • Lummus Park opened as a green space for everyone.
  • 1910 – Miami's population reached 5,471.
  • 1912 – An airport was built near Miami, a sign of future travel.
  • 1913
    • A bridge connecting Miami to Miami Beach was built.
    • The Lyric Theater opened its doors.
  • 1914 – Construction began on Vizcaya, a beautiful estate.
  • 1915
    • The Miami Chamber of Commerce was established.
    • The town of Miami Beach became an official town near Miami.
  • 1916 – David Fairchild created The Kampong, his winter home in Coconut Grove.
  • 1917 – Elser Pier opened, a popular spot by the water.
  • 1918 – The Airdrome Theatre and Strand Theatre opened.
  • 1919
    • Coconut Grove became an official town.
    • The Seybold Canal Bridge was built around this time.
  • 1920 – Miami's population grew to 29,549.
  • 1921
    • A new way of local government, the commission-manager system, was adopted.
    • WQAM radio began broadcasting.
  • 1923 – The Miami Times newspaper started publishing.
  • 1924
    • Buena Vista became part of Miami.
    • The Miami River Canal Swing Bridge was built.
  • 1925
  • 1926
    • January 10: The Prinz Valdemar ship sank offshore.
    • September: A major hurricane hit Miami.
    • WIOD radio began broadcasting.
    • The Player's State Theater was built.
    • Booker T. Washington High School, Olympia Theater, and Tower Theater opened.
  • 1927
  • 1928
  • 1929 – The Sears, Roebuck and Company Department Store opened.
  • 1930 – Miami's population reached 110,637.
  • 1933
    • February 15: An attack occurred in Bayfront Park.
    • E. G. Sewell became mayor again.
    • Ryder, the truck leasing company, was founded in Miami.
  • 1935
    • January 1: The first Orange Bowl football game was played.
    • November: Another hurricane hit the area.
  • 1936 – Parrot Jungle was established.
  • 1937 – Burdine Stadium and Liberty Square (a housing complex) opened.
  • 1938 – The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden opened to the public.
  • 1939 – E. G. Sewell became mayor for a third time.
  • 1940 – Miami's population grew to 172,172.
  • 1942 – May: The Portero del Llano ship sank offshore during World War II.
  • 1946 – A local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established.
  • 1949 – WTVJ (television) began broadcasting.

Post-War Growth: 1950s-1970s

  • 1950 – Miami's population reached 249,276.
  • 1952 – The Museum of Science and Natural History opened.
  • 1953 – Diario Las Américas, a Spanish-language newspaper, began publishing.
  • 1954 – Burger King was founded in Miami.
  • 1955 – The Miami Seaquarium was established.
  • 1957 – Robert King High was elected mayor of Miami.
  • 1958 – The Catholic Diocese of Miami was established.
  • 1959
  • 1960 – Miami's population reached 291,688.
  • 1961 – Colegio de Belén, a school, moved to Miami from Cuba.
  • 1964 – February 25: Cassius Clay won the heavyweight boxing championship in Miami.
  • 1965
  • 1966 – The Miami Dolphins football team joined the American Football League.
  • 1968
  • 1970 – Miami's population grew to 334,859.
  • 1971 – The Latin Chamber of Commerce was established.
  • 1972
  • 1973
    • April: The "freedom flights" bringing Cuban exiles to Miami ended.
    • Barnacle Historic State Park was established.
    • Maurice Ferre became the city mayor.
  • 1975 – The Bee Gees music group moved to Miami Beach.
  • 1976 – El Miami Herald, a Spanish-language newspaper, began publishing.
  • 1977 – Bicentennial Park opened.

Modern Miami: 1980s-1990s

  • 1980
    • April–October: Many Cubans arrived in Miami during the Mariel boatlift.
    • Miami MetroZoo opened near the city.
    • Miami's population reached 346,865.
  • 1981 – The Palace apartment building was constructed.
  • 1982 – The Knight International Center (a convention center) opened.
  • 1983 – The movie Scarface, set in Miami, was released.
  • 1984
    • Metrorail train system began operating.
    • The Center for Fine Arts opened.
    • The Miami International Film Festival began.
    • The TV show Miami Vice, a crime drama set in Miami, started on NBC.
    • The first Miami International Book Fair was held.
  • 1985
    • Xavier Suarez became the city mayor.
    • The TV show The Golden Girls, a sitcom set in Miami, began its seven-year run.
    • The Miami City Ballet performed for the first time.
  • 1987
  • 1989 – Ileana Ros-Lehtinen became a U.S. representative for Florida.
  • 1990
    • Nelson Mandela visited the city.
    • Miami's population reached 358,548.
  • 1992 – August: Hurricane Andrew, a very powerful storm, hit the area.
  • 1993 – Carrie P. Meek became a U.S. representative for Florida.
  • 1994 – The 1st Summit of the Americas was held in Miami.
  • 1996 – Joe Carollo became mayor of the city.
  • 1997 – Dade County was renamed Miami-Dade County.
  • 1998 – Xavier Suarez became mayor again briefly, then Carollo returned as mayor.
  • 1999

New Millennium: 2000s

  • 2000
    • The Elián González affair was a major news event.
    • Miami's population reached 362,470.
  • 2001 – Manny Diaz became city mayor.
  • 2002 – Art Basel, a big art fair, began in Miami Beach.
  • 2003
  • 2004 – Carlos Alvarez became mayor of Miami-Dade County.
  • 2006 – The Carnival Center (now Adrienne Arsht Center) opened.
  • 2007 – The TV show Burn Notice, set in Miami, began its run.
  • 2009 – Tomás Regalado became city mayor.

Miami in the 21st Century

The 2010s and Beyond

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