Aachen
1-4c
A Roman spa
8c
Charlemagne develops his Palace and court
1166
Town Charter granted
1267
First Town Hall built
1450
Guild Charter
1531
Thirteenth and last coronation of a German king in Aachen
1656
Great fire destroys 80% of city
1748
Aachen Peace Congress at the end of the Wars of Austrian succession
1794
Period of French occupation
1814-1815
Aachen becomes a province of Prussia
1841
Arrival of the railway
1870
Foundation of today’s Technical University
1871
Unification of Germany
1939-1945
Most of the city destroyed in World War 2
1950s
Restoration and redevelopment of the city, new industries and growth as centre of learning with 40,000 students by early 21c
1952
Centenary of City Symphony Orchestra
1972
Expansion of Aachen to include surrounding communities
1978
Aachen Cathedral is one of the first buildings included as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument
1985
Biggest single building hospital in Europe
Halifax
1-4c
Roman communication routes in the district
1120
Norman church built, religious centre for large rural hinterland
12c
Beginnings of textiles as a supplementary economic activity to agriculture
1286
Use of Halifax Gibbet begins
1348
Black Death plague claims up to 40% of the population
16c
Growth of textile industry, coal and mineral deposits exploited
1750-19c
Rapid industrial expansion and population growth development as an important manufacturing centre in the West Riding of Yorkshire
1779
Piece Hall cloth market opens
1844
Connected to trans-Pennine railway route
1848
Incorporation as Municipal Borough
1853
Halifax Permanent Building Society formed
1863
Opening of the Town Hall, designed by Sir Charles Barry
1890
Mackintosh’s first confectionery shop opens
Early 20c
New housing areas created and parks opened at Shibden Hall and Manor Heath
1974
Halifax becomes part of Calderdale local authority
Late 20c
Growth of financial and service occupations, refurbishment of Dean Clough and environmental improvements in the town centre
1992
Eureka! Children’s Museum opens
2001
Halifax Royal Hospital completed
