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Timeline of Memphis, Tennessee facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Memphis, Tennessee, US.

Prior to 19th century

  • 1739 - Fort Assumption built by French.
  • 1740 - Fort Assumption abandoned.
  • 1797 - U.S. fort built.

19th century

  • 1819 - Town laid out.
  • 1826 - Town incorporated.
  • 1827
    • Memphis Advocate newspaper begins publication.
    • Marcus B. Winchester becomes mayor.
  • 1836 - Memphis Enquirer newspaper begins publication.
  • 1841 - The Appeal newspaper begins publication.
  • 1843
    • New Orleans-Memphis telegraph begins operating.
    • Memphis Daily Eagle newspaper begins publication.
  • 1844 - Calvary Episcopal Church consecrated.
  • 1849 - Memphis incorporated as a city.
  • 1850
    • Town designated a port of customs.
    • Population: 8,841.
  • 1852 - Elmwood Cemetery established.
  • 1853 - Congregation B'nai Israel founded.
  • 1854 - Jones & Co. chemists in business.
  • 1855 - German Benevolent Society formed.
  • 1857 - Memphis & Charleston Railroad completed.
  • 1858 - Memphis Daily Avalanche newspaper begins publication.
  • 1860 - Population: 22,623.
  • 1861 - Memphis and Ohio Railroad completed.
  • 1862
    • Tennessee capital relocated to Memphis from Nashville.
    • June 6: Battle of Memphis takes place on Mississippi River near town; Union forces take Memphis.
  • 1864
  • 1866
    • May: Racial unrest.
    • Greenwood School established.
    • Memphis Post begins publication.
  • 1868 - Peabody Hotel in business.
  • 1870
  • 1871
  • 1873 - Yellow fever epidemic.
  • 1874 - Memphis Cotton Exchange founded.
  • 1875 - Southwestern at Memphis (college) established.
  • 1878 - Yellow fever epidemic.
  • 1879 - Yellow fever epidemic.
  • 1880 - Population: 33,592.
  • 1882
    • Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church established.
    • Chickasaw Cooperage Company incorporated.
  • 1883 - Young Men's Christian Association chartered.
  • 1885 - Peoples Grocery in business.
  • 1887 - Memphis National Bank organized.
  • 1890
  • 1891 - City rechartered.
  • 1892 - Railroad bridge constructed.
  • 1899 - Manassas High School established.

20th century

1900s-1940s

1950s-1990s

21st century

Memphis Skyline from Poplar Ave
Memphis skyline as seen from Poplar Avenue (2010)
  • 2002 – June 8: Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson boxing match.
  • 2003
    • Clark Opera Memphis Center opens.
    • July 22: Memphis Summer Storm of 2003, also known as "Hurricane Elvis".
    • December 18: Airplane crash.
  • 2007 – Steve Cohen becomes U.S. representative for Tennessee's 9th congressional district.
  • 2008 – February 5–6: Tornado outbreak.
  • 2009
    • October: A C Wharton elected mayor.
    • City open government standard enacted.
  • 2012 – Population: 655,155.
  • 2015 – October 8: Jim Strickland elected mayor.
  • 2016 – Raleigh Springs Mall is demolished
  • 2023 – October 5: Paul Young elected mayor.
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Timeline of Memphis, Tennessee Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.