|
Year
|
Event |
|
1488 |
Bartholomew Diaz sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. |
|
1497 |
Vasco da Gama found the coast of St. Helena Bay. |
|
1605 |
The first Settlers reach Table Bay. |
|
1647 |
The ship “Nieuw Haerlem” was stranded in the vicinity of Blouberg. About 60 sailors survived. |
|
1651 |
The Dutch East Indian Company founds the first European settlement under the leadership of Jan van Riebeek. The purpose of the settlement was to be a replenishing station for ships enroute to India. |
| 1652 |
Founding of Cape Town by Jan van Riebeeck |
|
1653 |
The first vineyards get imported from Germany. |
|
1653 |
The first slaves in Cape Town were Asian. |
|
1657 |
The first slaves from West Africa and other African countries came to Cape Town. |
|
1658 |
Instability amongst the citizens of Cape Town. |
| 1659 |
A French ship was stranded off the coast of Table Bay bringing a French influence. |
| 1659 |
First wine harvest in Cape Town |
|
1662 |
Zacharias Wagenaer replaces Jan van Riebeeck as leader of Cape Town |
|
1679 |
The Castle is built. |
|
1685 |
The "Steenberg" Vineyard produces the first quality wine in the Cape. |
|
1688 |
A ship with Huguenots arrives in Cape Town as they were extradited from France due to their religion. |
|
1737 |
Numerous ships sink during a storm in Cape Town. |
|
1743 |
A winter harbour is built in Simon’s Town. |
|
1745 |
Less than 1000 white citizens live in Cape Town. |
|
1773 |
Wolraad Woltemade dies on 31 May during a rescue mission with his horse, after saving the lives of many sailors. |
|
1779 |
The first Border war starts in South Africa. Eight further wars start soon thereafter. |
|
1794 |
The first prayer-buildings were built for Muslims. |
|
1795 |
The English take over the Cape. |
|
1797 |
Earl Macartney becomes Governor. |
| 1811 |
The first water and electricity points are erected in Cape Town. |
|
1814 |
Cape Town becomes British Crown colony and is declared as capital of the Western Cape. |
|
1820 |
The "Small Trek" towards the center of the country starts. |
|
1824 |
The first newspaper is published in Cape Town. |
|
1835 |
The “Big Trek” towards the center of the country starts. |
|
1838 |
Andries Pretorius (1798 – 1853) reaches Natal. |
|
1842 |
The English beat the “Voortrekkers” in Natal. |
|
1848 |
Region between the Vaal and Oranje rivers is declared as a main region. |
|
1854 |
Founding of the “Oranje Freistaats” |
|
1859 |
First train travels between Cape Town and Wellington. |
|
1860 |
1860-1870: A dry-dock is built by Prince Alfred. |
|
1863 |
The first Synagogue is opened. |
|
1881 |
Successful “Boer war” against the English. |
|
1881 |
Paul Kruger becomes President. |
|
1883 |
The first horse railway is opened in Cape Town. |
|
1883 |
The Clock tower is erected in Cape Town. |
|
1884 |
“Houses of parliament” is opened. |
|
1895 |
Rhodes predicts another Boer war. |
|
1895 |
First electric power in Cape Town. |
|
1899 |
Boer War. |
|
1900 |
The English settle in Bloemfontein and the Oranje Freestate is declared British territory. |
|
1902 |
Signing of the peace contract. The English win over the Boers. |
|
1902 |
President Paul Kruger flees to Europe. |
|
1910 |
Creation of the South African Union. |
|
1922 |
The famous coastal road “Chapman’s peak drive” is opened for traffic. |
|
1923 |
Cape Town is divided according to skin colour of inhabitants. |
|
1929 |
The Table Bay railway is opened. |
|
1935 |
Cape Town needs more land and is elongated into the sea. |
|
1948 |
The “National Party” wins the elections. |
|
1956 |
The “Freedom Charter” is created. |
|
1956 |
Black and Coloured citizens are no longer allowed to vote. |
|
1960 |
All parties and organizations must support the “Unlawful Organizations Act” and the Apartheid system. |
|
1961 |
South Africa is no longer part of the Common Wealth. |
|
1963 |
The lawyer Nelson Mandela gets arrested. |
|
1966 |
District six: All coloured citizens are relocated. |
|
1967 |
Terrorism act: Allows the imprisonment of citizens without a court hearing. |
|
1976 |
First student risings in South Africa |
|
1977 |
No weapons are sold to South Africa by UNO. |
|
1978 |
F.W. de Klerk is declared as head of state and so is part of the cabinet. |
|
1979 |
All homes in District six get destroyed. |
|
1985 |
The “Immorality Act” and the “Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act” is no longer enforced. |
|
1986 |
International sanctions against Apartheid. |
|
1988 |
Botha and de Klerk agree on reformation. |
|
1989 |
Frederik de Klerk follows Botha as president with the aim of ending the Apartheid Era. |
|
1990 |
Nelson Mandela is released after 27 years of imprisonment. |
| 1990 |
End of Apartheid. |
| 1993 |
Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize. |
|
1993 |
First free and fair elections. |
|
1994 |
Nelson Mandela is elected as president with Thabo Mbeki as vice president and F.W. de Klerk as second vice president. |
|
1994 |
Nine provinces are declared. |
|
1995 |
Rugby World Cup is hosted in South Africa. |
|
1996 |
New Constitution. |
|
2003 |
The South African Rand is the most successful currency in the world. |
|
2003 |
The Cricket World Cup is hosted in South Africa. |
|
2004 |
Third free and fair election held in South Africa is won by the ANC. |
|
2010 |
The Soccer World Cup will be hosted by South Africa. |
