A timeline of some Christchurch events in chronological order from 1700s to 1989.
Go to a year between 1700 & 1989
Begin at the beginning 
This week in history
- February 17, 1908
- 30-metre whale stranded at Okarito. The skeleton is now on display at the Canterbury Museum.
- February 17, 1939
- New Millers Department Store building (now the Civic Offices) opens. Designed by G. A. J. Hart, the building contained the South Islands first escalator.
- February 18, 1982
- Internationally famous writer Dame Ngaio Marsh dies at her home in Cashmere.
- February 19, 1873
- Anglican synod decides (by a narrow margin) not to sell the present site of Christchurch Cathedral.
- February 20, 1903
- Singer Madam (later Dame) Nellie Melba gives concert.
- February 20, 1979
- 8.5 metre totara log removed from the Avon near the Barbadoes Street bridge. A remnant of the pre-Polynesian forests, it had been buried beneath the river for centuries.
- February 21, 1853
- Inwoods flour mill in operation in Straven Road.
- February 21, 1910
- Visit by Lord Kitchener.
- February 21, 1949
- City coat of arms granted armorial bearings.
- February 21, 1972
- Adelaide (Australia) becomes Christchurchs first sister city.
- February 21, 1983
- Friendship link with Gansu Province (China) established under sister city programme.
- February 21, 1987
- Plans for 152 metre high observation/tourist tower revealed by Christchurch businessman Jamie Tulloch.
- February 22, 1893
- Linwood Borough formed.
- February 22, 1909
- New "Press" building in operation in Cathedral Square. Designed by J.J. Collins and R.D. Harman, it was the citys first ferro-concrete building.
- February 22, 1960
- New airport terminal (designed by Paul Pascoe) opens.
- February 22, 1965
- Opening of first Pan-Pacific Arts Festival. Artists include singer Inia Te Wiata (in "Porgy and Bess") and conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent.
- February 23, 1877
- Lillywhites All England cricket team visits.
- February 23, 1916
- Red Cross Society (N.Z. Branch) and the Central Council of the Order of St John hold their first meeting in Christchurch.