Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

A timeline of some Christchurch events in chronological order from 1700s to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

November 24, 1881
St Albans Borough formed.
November 25, 1913
700 "specials" (special constables enlisted mainly from farming districts) occupy Lyttelton to allow "free“ labour to work the wharves. In spite of this provocative action, there was no serious violence in Christchurch or Lyttelton throughout the strike.
November 25, 1940
Holmwood, en route from the Chathams to Lyttelton, sunk by German raiders. Passengers and crew were taken aboard the German ships, and eventually made their way home 2 months later.
November 25, 1956
Richard Pearse’s convertiplane taken to Auckland. It is now on display in Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology.
November 25, 1980
Totem Pole placed in new location at Christchurch Airport.
November 26, 1857
Opening of the first building (long since demolished) on the present Christ’s College site. The school’s original planned site was in Cathedral Square, but the land had been exchanged for the present Hagley Park site to allow room for expansion.
November 26, 1910
The ill-fated second Scott expedition leaves Lyttelton on the "Terra Nova", bound for Antarctica. See 1988.
November 26, 1959
Memorial Avenue (a memorial to airmen killed in W.W.II) officially opens.
November 27, 1985
Remains of swimming pool uncovered when excavating behind No 1 stand at Lancaster Park. Pool used as venue for 1907 Australian and New Zealand Swimming Championships. See 1894.
November 27, 1989
TV3 transmission starts.
November 28, 1893
Women vote for the first time in parliamentary elections.
November 28, 1908
Work begins on the Summit Road, the first part of Harry Ell’s obsessional dream.
November 28, 1964
Opening of Cashin Quay, Lyttelton Harbour. The engineering techniques used in reclaiming this area were unique in the world.
November 29, 1901
Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s first Antarctic expedition arrives at Lyttelton in ”Discovery“.
November 29, 1978
Concert at Q.E.II Park by rock singer David Bowie.
November 29, 1988
Visit by Chinese delegates from Sister City of Gansu Province.
November 30, 1865
Canterbury Medical Association formed (the first in New Zealand).

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