Timeline of Beirut
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timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale represen ...
of the
history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
of the city of
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...
,
Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lie ...
.


Prior to 20th century

* 140 BC – City destroyed by
Diodotus Tryphon Diodotus Tryphon ( el, Διόδοτος Τρύφων), nicknamed "The Magnificent" ( el, Ό Μεγαλοπρεπής) was a Greek king of the Seleucid Empire. Initially an official under King Alexander I Balas, he led a revolt against Alexander ...
. * 64 BC – Beirut conquered by Agrippa. * 14 BC – During the reign of Herod the Great, Berytus became a colonia. * 551 CE – Earthquake. * 635 – Beirut passes into Arab control. * 759 – Prince Arslan bin al-Mundhir founds the Principality of Sin-el-Fil in Beirut. * 1110 – Baldwin overtakes city, is absorbed into the
Kingdom of Jerusalem The Kingdom of Jerusalem ( la, Regnum Hierosolymitanum; fro, Roiaume de Jherusalem), officially known as the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem or the Frankish Kingdom of Palestine,Example (title of works): was a Crusader state that was establish ...
. * 1187 –
Saladin Yusuf ibn Ayyub ibn Shadi () ( – 4 March 1193), commonly known by the epithet Saladin,, ; ku, سه‌لاحه‌دین, ; was the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Hailing from an ethnic Kurdish family, he was the first of both Egypt an ...
re-takes city. * early 17th.C. -
Fakhr al-Din II Fakhr al-Din ibn Qurqumaz Ma'n ( ar, فَخْر ٱلدِّين بِن قُرْقُمَاز مَعْن, Fakhr al-Dīn ibn Qurqumaz Maʿn; – March or April 1635), commonly known as Fakhr al-Din II or Fakhreddine II ( ar, فخر الدين ال ...
fortifies the town. * 1763 – Ottomans reclaim the city. * 1832 – Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt in power. * 1840 ** October: Battle of Beirut. ** Settlement of the hills surrounding the walled city begins, notably Moussaitbeh and Achrafieh * 1853 – Grand Serail built. * 1858 – '' Hadiqat al-Akhbar'' newspaper begins publication. * 1860 ** Druze–Maronite conflict. **
Sursock House The Sursock family (also spelled Sursuq) is a Greek Orthodox Christian family from Lebanon, and used to be one of the most important families of Beirut. Having originated in Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire, the family has lived in Bei ...
built. * 1866 –
Syrian Protestant College The American University of Beirut (AUB) ( ar, الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت) is a private, non-sectarian, and independent university chartered in New York with its campus in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB is governed by a private, auto ...
established. * 1868 –
Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut The Archaeology Museum of the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon is the third oldest museum in the Near East after Cairo and Constantinople. History The Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut (AUB Archaeological M ...
established. * 1875 **
Saint Joseph University Saint Joseph University of Beirut (French: ''Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth'', abbreviated to and commonly known as "USJ") is a private Catholic research university located in Beirut, Lebanon, which was founded in 1875 by French Jesuit mis ...
founded. ** '' Thamarāt al Funūn'' newspaper begins publication. * 1877 – '' Lisan al-Hal'' newspaper begins publication. * 1883 –
Hôtel-Dieu de France The Hôtel-Dieu de France is one of the three leading Lebanese medical centers. It is located on Alfred Naccache Boulevard in Beirut, and is the oldest active French hospital in the city. ''Hôtel-Dieu'', literally "hostel of God," is an archaic ...
founded. * 1888 – Beirut was made capital of a vilayet (governorate) in Syria, 7including the sanjaks (prefectures) Latakia, Tripoli, Beirut, Acre and Bekaa. * 1894 ** Saint George Maronite Cathedral constructed. ** Harbour, constructed by a French company. * 1895 – Railway completed "across the Lebanon to Damascus." * 1898 – Population: 120,000 (approximate).


20th century


1900s–1960s

* 1999 ''al-Iqbāl'' newspaper begins publication. * 1907 ** Railway to Aleppo completed. **
René Moawad Garden The René Moawad Garden (French: ''Jardin René Moawad'') known by the public as the Sanayeh Garden is located in the Sanayeh district of Beirut, Lebanon. The garden is one of the oldest public open-air spaces in the capital. Khalil Pasha (1864 ...
established. ** Baidaphon (record label) in business (approximate date). * 1916 – Place des Canons renamed Martyrs' Square. * 1920 –
Beirut Stock Exchange The Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE, Arabic: بورصة بيروت) is the principal and only stock exchange of Lebanon. Located in Beirut, it is a public institution run by a committee including a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and eight members appointed ...
founded. * 1920 – 1 September:
Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lie ...
Republic (Greater
Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lie ...
) proclaimed a state. * 1921 – Beirut Traders Association founded. * 1924 – ''
Al Joumhouria ''Al Joumhouria'' ( ar, الجمهورية, lit=The Republic) is a Lebanese daily newspaper founded in 1924. History After its founding in 1924, ''Al Joumhouria'' ceased publication for an extended period. At attempt at resuming in 1985 was not ...
'' newspaper begins publication * 1925 ** National Conservatory of Music established. **
Maghen Abraham Synagogue The Maghen Abraham Synagogue ( ar, كنيس ماغين أبراهام - ''Kanīs Mā'ghīn Abrā'hām''; he, בית הכנסת מגן אברהם - ''Beth HaKenesset Magen Avraham'') is one of the main synagogues in Lebanon. Located in the Jewi ...
built. * 1927 – American Junior College for Women opens in Ras Beirut. * 1933 **
Parliament of Lebanon The Lebanese Parliament ( ar, مجلس النواب, translit=Majlis an-Nuwwab; french: Chambre des députés) is the national parliament of the Republic of Lebanon. There are 128 members elected to a four-year term in multi-member consti ...
building erected. ** '' An-Nahar'' newspaper begins publication. ** '' L'Orient'' newspaper begins publication. * 1934 – Population: 162,000 (approximate). * 1936 – Kamel Abbas Hamieh takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1937 ** Académie libanaise des beaux-arts founded. ** '' Ararad'' newspaper begins publication. ** '' Zartonk'' newspaper begins publication. * 1938 – '' Al Akhbar'' newspaper begins publication. * 1941 – ''Eastern Times'' newspaper begins publication. * 1942 –
National Museum of Beirut The National Museum of Beirut ( ar, متحف بيروت الوطنيّ, ''Matḥaf Bayrūt al-waṭanī'' or French: Musée national de Beyrouth) is the principal museum of archaeology in Lebanon. The collection begun after World War I, and the m ...
opens. * 1943 – Beirut becomes capital city of independent Lebanon. * 1946 ** Nicolas Rizk takes office as Governor of Beirut. ** ''
Al-Hayat Al-Hayat ( ar, الحياة meaning "Life") was a London-based, pan-Arab newspaper owned by Saudi Prince Khalid bin Sultan, that had a circulation estimated over 200,000. It was the newspaper of record for the Arab diaspora and the preferred v ...
'' newspaper begins publicatio

* 1950 – Population: 181,271. * 1951 –
Lebanese University The Lebanese University (LU) (, ) is the only public university in Beirut, Lebanon. It is ranked #701–750 worldwide in terms of education. The creation of the Lebanese University was an idea first mentioned in the speech of the former Minist ...
and
Lycée Franco-Libanais Verdun The Lycée Franco-Libanais Verdun ( ar, اللیسیه الفرنسیة اللبنانیة - فردان), commonly known as the Lycée Verdun, is a prestigious French lycée located in the upscale Rue Verdun in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded in ...
founded. * 1952 ** George Assi takes office as Governor of Beirut. ** '' The Daily Star'' newspaper begins publication. * 1954 –
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint of ...
opens. * 1956 – Bachour Haddad takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1957 –
Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium (CCSC) ( ar, ملعب مدينة كميل شمعون الرياضية; french: Cité sportive Camille-Chamoun) is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 49,500 seats, located in the Bir Hassan area of Beir ...
opens. * 1958 – Population: 400,000 (estimate). * 1959 **
Télé Liban Télé Liban (also known as TL, ar, تلفزيون لبنان) is the first Lebanese public television network, owned by the Lebanese government. It was a result of a merger of the privately run Compagnie Libanaise de Télévision (CLT) (channe ...
(television) begins broadcasting. ** Philip Boulos takes office as Governor of Beirut. ** ''
Al Anwar ''Al Anwar'' ( ar, الانوار, lit=The Lights) was an Arabic daily newspaper published in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded in 1959 and was one of the leading dailies in Lebanon. In October 2018, the publisher Dar Assayad announced ceasing of ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 1960 **
Beirut Arab University Beirut Arab University (BAU) ( ar, جـامعة بيروت العربية) is a Lebanese private university located in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded by the Lebanese Waqf El-Bir wal Ihsan Society in 1960. The University attained the Internation ...
established. ** Emile Yanni takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1961 **
Orient-Institut Beirut The Orient-Institut Beirut (OIB) ( ar, المعهد الألماني للأبحاث الشرقية) is one of ten German Humanities Institutes Abroad which belong to the Max Weber Foundation. The OIB was established in 1961 by the Deutsche Morge ...
established. **
Sursock Museum The Sursock Museum ( ar, قصر سرسق), which is officially known as the Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum, is a modern art and contemporary art museum in Beirut, Lebanon. History In 1912, the wealthy and prominent Lebanese aristocrat Nicolas I ...
and Phoenicia Beirut Hotel open. * 1963 – Gallery One (cultural space) opens. * 1964 – Saint Nicolas Garden opens. * 1966 –
Al Ahed Al Ahed Football Club ( ar, نادي العهد الرياضي, lit=The Covenant Sporting Club) is a football club based in Ouzai, a district in Beirut, Lebanon, that competes in the Lebanese Premier League, the top flight of Lebanese footbal ...
football team established, headquartered in Beirut. * 1967 – Chafik Abou Haydar takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1968 – "Israel raids Beirut airport."


1970s–1990s

* 1970 ** '' L'Orient Le Jour'' newspaper begins publication. ** Population: 474,870 city; 938,940 urban agglomeration. ** Sassine Square construction ends * 1972 – Manoukian Center established. * 1973 – Holiday Inn in business. * 1974 – ''
As-Safir ''As-Safir'' ( ar, السفير, lit=The Ambassador), was a leading Arabic-language daily newspaper in Lebanon. The headquarters of the daily was in Beirut. It was in circulation from March 1974 until December 2016. The last issue of the paper w ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 1975 ** April:
Lebanese Civil War The Lebanese Civil War ( ar, الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية, translit=Al-Ḥarb al-Ahliyyah al-Libnāniyyah) was a multifaceted armed conflict that took place from 1975 to 1990. It resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities a ...
begins. ** Green Line established between mainly Muslim factions in West Beirut and the Christian Lebanese Front in East Beirut. ** Centre for Arab Unity Studies founded. * 1976 – ''al-Murābiṭ'' newspaper begins publication. * 1977 – Mitri El Nammar takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1978 – Syrian siege of Achrafiyeh, the main Christian district of Beirut. * 1982 ** Israeli invasion. ** 14 September:
Bachir Gemayel Bachir Pierre Gemayel ( ; 10 November 1947 – 14 September 1982) was a Lebanese militia commander who led the Lebanese Forces, the military wing of the Kataeb Party in the Lebanese Civil War and was elected President of Lebanon in 1982 ...
assassinated. * 1983 – French and US barracks bombed. * 1986 – Centre de Documentation et de Recherches Arabes Chretiennes founded. * 1987 – George Smaha takes office as Governor of Beirut. * 1988 – ''
Ad-Diyar ''Ad-Diyar'' ( ar, الديار, lit=The Home) is an Arabic-language daily newspaper published in Beirut, Lebanon, which has been in circulation since 1941. History ''Ad Diyar'' was first published in 1941 as an Arabic political daily that is pu ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 1989 – Lebanese Center for Policy Studies headquartered in city. * 1990 – Center for Strategic Studies Research and Documentation * 1991 –
Al Manar TV AL, Al, Ål or al may stand for: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Al (''Aladdin'') or Aladdin, the main character in Disney's ''Aladdin'' media * Al (''EastEnders''), a minor character in the British soap opera * Al (''Fullmetal ...
begins broadcasting. * 1992 – Nayef Al Maaloof takes office as Governor of Beirut * 1993 **
B 018 B 018, also pronounced in French B Zero Dix-Huit, is a nightclub that was established in 1994 in Beirut, Lebanon. Today, by staying true to its claim, "A Sound Ritual", B 018 offers an array of nights. From live bands to 80s night during the week ...
nightclub opens. **
Future Television Future Television ( ar, تلفزيون المستقبل, ''Televiziyon al-Mustaqbal'') was a Lebanese free-to-air television station founded in 1993 by the Future Movement leader Rafik Hariri, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon. Future TV was al ...
begins broadcasting. * 1994 –
Solidere Solidere s.a.l. is a Lebanese joint-stock company in charge of planning and redeveloping Beirut Central District following the conclusion, in 1990, of the Lebanese Civil War. By agreement with the government, Solidere has special powers of emin ...
(redevelopment company) founded. * 1995 – Nicolas Saba takes office as Governor of Beirut * 1997 ** Arab Image Foundation established. **
Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium (CCSC) ( ar, ملعب مدينة كميل شمعون الرياضية; french: Cité sportive Camille-Chamoun) is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 49,500 seats, located in the Bir Hassan area of Beir ...
rebuilt. * 1999 ** Yaacoub Sarraf takes office as Governor of Beirut. ** Planet Discovery children's museum inaugurated. **
Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra L’Orchestre Symphonique National du Liban (The Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra) was founded in late 1999 in Beirut under the guidance of Dr. Walid Gholmieh and the management of the Conservatoire Libanais (Lebanese National Higher Conservator ...
and Al-Kafaàt University founded. * 2000 –
Museum of Lebanese Prehistory The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory (french: Musée de Préhistoire Libanaise, ar, متحف ما قبل التاريخ اللبناني) is a museum of prehistory and archaeology in Beirut, Lebanon. History The museum is the first museum of prehist ...
established.


21st century


2000s

* 2001 –
Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center The Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center (commonly BIEL) is a large multi-purpose facility, hosting exhibitions (Beirut Book Fair), conferences, concerts and private events. It opened on 28 November 2001. It moved from what is now c ...
opens. * 2003 **
Beirut Marathon The Beirut Marathon, is an annual event that takes place in Beirut, Lebanon, first held in 2003. It is a founding member of Asian Premier Marathons, and was accredited as a IAAF Road Race Label Events, Silver Label Road Race by the IAAF. Unif ...
begins. **
Music Hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Br ...
opens. ** ''
Al-Balad Al-Balad ( ar, البلد, "The City"), is the 90th Surah or chapter of the Qur'an. It is composed of 20 '' ayat'' (verses). Summary *1-7 Man, though created in misery, yet boasts of his riches *8-16 Captives to be freed and the poor and orp ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 2004 **
Souk el Tayeb Souk el Tayeb is an open-air weekly farmers market in Lebanon that specializes in organic food products. It is held every Saturday in downtown Beirut at the Beirut Souks, Trablos Street from 9am to 2pm. Helem Helem (Arabic: حلم, Lebanese pronunciation:   elem which means ‘dream’) is the first LGBTQIA+ rights non-governmental organization in the Arab world, founded in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2001. Its mission is to lead a non-violent struggle for t ...
(LGBT group) active. ** Al-Saha Village restaurant in business. * 2005 **
Cedar Revolution The Cedar Revolution ( ar, ثورة الأرز, ''thawrat al-arz'') or Independence Uprising ( ar, انتفاضة الاستقلال, ''intifāḍat al-istiqlāl'') was a chain of demonstrations in Lebanon (especially in the capital Beirut) tri ...
** Nassif Kaloosh takes office as Governor of Beirut **
Ya Libnan Ya Libnan ( ar, يا لبنان) ''Oh Lebanon'', is a Lebanese media outlet that delivers English-language news from Beirut to an international audience. ''Ya Libnan'' was founded by volunteers in Lebanon immediately after the assassination of ...
news website launched. * 2006 **
Political protests A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can be thought of as acts of coopera ...
** Robert Mouawad Private Museum opens. **
Sister city A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties. While there are early examples of inter ...
relationship established with
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...
, USA. * 2007 –
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque ( ar, 1=جامع محمد الأمين), also referred to as the Blue Mosque, is a Sunni Muslim mosque located in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. In the 19th century, a Zawiya (prayer corner) was built on this site. Decade ...
built. * 2008 – Platinum Tower built. * 2009 ** 2009 Jeux de la Francophonie held in Beirut. **
Beirut Art Center Beirut Art Center is a space for exhibiting contemporary art in Beirut, Lebanon History Beirut Art Center opened to public in January 2009. It is managed as a non-profit organization whose founders and executive board members were Sandra Daghe ...
opens. **
Beirut Souks Beirut Souks ( ar, أسواق بيروت) is a major commercial district in Beirut Central District. With over 200 shops, 25 restaurants and cafes, an entertainment center, a 14 cinema complex, periodic street markets and an upcoming department ...
and Le Gray hotel in business. ** City named
World Book Capital The World Book Capital (WBC) is an initiative of UNESCO which recognises cities for promoting books and fostering reading for a year starting on April 23rd, World Book and Copyright Day. Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capital carry out act ...
by UNESCO.


2010s

* 2010 ** Bilal Hamad becomes mayor. ** Four Seasons Hotel Beirut opens. * 2011 **
Political protests A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can be thought of as acts of coopera ...
** Zaitunay Bay pedestrian area opens. * 2012 ** Violent unrest related to Syrian uprising. ** Al-Mayadeen television begins broadcasting. ** 19 October:
Bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
in Achrafieh. ** 16 November: Überhaus nightclub opens. * 2013 ** 9 July:
Bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
in Bir el-Abed. ** 15 August:
Bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
. ** 19 November: Iranian embassy bombings. ** 27 December:
Bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
. * 2015 ** 21 July:
Protests A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can be thought of as acts of coopera ...
. ** 12 November:
Bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
.


2020s

* 2020 ** 4 August: Explosion in port * 2021 ** 14 October: Clashes


See also

* Beirut history * List of governors of Beirut *
Timeline of Lebanese history __NOTOC__ This is a timeline of Lebanese history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in Lebanon and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of Lebanon. See also the ...


References

''This article incorporates information from the
French Wikipedia The French Wikipedia (french: Wikipédia en français) is the French-language edition of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia. This edition was started on 23 March 2001, two months after the official creation of Wikipedia. It has articl ...
.''


Bibliography

;Published in 19th century * * * * * ;Published in 20th century * * * * — literary criticism * * * Projecting Beirut. 1998. ;Published in 21st century * * * * * * * * *


External links


Fulltext articles related to Beirut
(via HAL, Centre pour la communication scientifique directe, France) * {{Lebanon year nav
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...