Key dates and events from Manchester’s rich past- including Peterloo Massacre and the creation of the city

There are many significant events which are woven onto the rich tapestry of Manchester history. Many of these have shaped the city and life in the UK as we know it. 

Remembering the city’s rich past is as important as looking forward to the future. In Manchester, there is plenty of history to keep in mind. 

To give you a refresh on some of these big points in Manchester’s history, or if you are new to the area and want to find out more, here’s a round up of some of the key dates. 

The creation of Manchester

This first moment in history is arguably the most important. It is the creation of Manchester and it happened around 2000 years ago. 

The creation of a fort in Mamucium was ordered by Roman general Julius Agricola in 79AD. This fort would form the centre of a settlement which would gradually grow into a town. 

The intention of the fort was to guard the roads which led to Chester and York. At the end of the Roman occupation of England in the early 400 AD, the remains of the fort were abandoned. 

It was not until the 20th century that the redevelopment of Castleford saw a part of the fort rebuilt. It is now an interesting tourist spot in Manchester.  

Peterloo Massacre 

One of the most infamous days in the history of Manchester is August 16 1819. It started off with a peaceful gathering of anti-poverty protestors, but the day would become known as the day of the Peterloo Massacre. 

60,000 campaigners gathered in what is now St Peter’s Square, Manchester. They were there to listen to speakers including orator Henry Hunt. The backdrop of the gathering was riddled with poverty and destitution across the UK- and only a fraction of the population had the right to vote. 

Despite the gathering being peaceful, local officials became panicked by the large crowd. The local Yeomanry, a sort of unofficial paramilitary pieced together from local businessmen, were sent to arrest the speakers. 

The chaos stepped up a gear when the Yeomanry charged on horseback at the campaigners. This occurred when the campaigners linked arms to prevent the speakers being arrested. 

Members of the Yeomanry cut down campaigners with their swords and by 2pm, the field was full of bodies and abandoned banners. In total 18 people, some who were women and children, had been killed and hundreds more seriously injured. 

Manchester is made a city 

In 1853, the industrial revolution was in full flow. Thousands of workers were firing the country forward in heavy industries such as coal mining and cotton production. 

Manchester was at the forefront of the industrial revolution, and along with the wider North West and Lancashire area was a driving force. It is for this reason that - in 1853- Manchester was given the title of city. It would become the first ever industrial city. 

In the early to mid 1800s, Manchester’s population had exploded. Many workers came from the countryside to work in the new cotton mills which had sprung up around the city and wider area. The way people worked and lived was changed forever by the Industrial Revolution- and Manchester was leading the way. 

Manchester Blitz 

When people think of the Blitz during the Second World War, they tend to associate it with London or Coventry. However, plenty of other towns and cities were subject to German bombing and Manchester was no exception. 

On the nights of December 22 and 23 1940, 684 people were killed and a further 2,000 injured. Manchester was pinpointed as a target for German bombers due to its heavy industry. Parts of Lancaster and Manchester bombers were made in the area. 

Almost 480 tons of explosives were dropped on the city over the two nights. Despite having the war brought literally to their doorstep, the people of Manchester stayed strong and rebuilt their city after the war was done. 

A future bombing raid, this time in 1941, caused damage to Old Trafford, home to Manchester United FC. The stadium was out of action until 1949. 

Around 60 fires were started across the city on the two nights. However, they took longer to tackle as many full time and volunteer firefighters from Manchester were still away in Liverpool- where they had been sent to tackle fires from air raids on Merseyside.