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
- October 20, 1948
- "Pleasure Garden" art controversy begins when a Frances Hodgkins painting (done in about 1933) is exhibited at "the Group" show. This fierce debate on art style was joined by people throughout New Zealand. It raged for 3 years until the City Council accepted the painting as a gift on September 3, 1951.
- October 20, 1987
- World-wide share market crash affects Christchurch Stock Exchange .
- October 22, 1863
- First Agricultural and Pastoral Association show in showgrounds (which is now Sydenham Park). An unofficial show had been held in October, 1862.
- October 22, 1985
- "Elizabeth" the one tonne sea elephant dies of a viral infection on Sumner Beach. She had lived for 5 years on the City's beaches, estuary and rivers and was often found crawling up suburban streets.
- October 22, 1988
- Announcement of the appointment of Patricia Costigan as Christchurch's first female District Court Judge.
- October 23, 1874
- Canterbury Club building (designed by Frederick Strouts) inaugurated.
- October 24, 1870
- Disastrous fire (New Zealands most extensive to that date) destroys the centre of Lyttelton.
- October 25, 1877
- First high pressure water supply system in operation at Lyttelton.
- October 25, 1986
- Qin Shihuang (Chinese Buried Army) exhibition opens at the McDougall Art Gallery. 71,145 people visited the exhibition over a seven week period, the largest number to a paying show at the Gallery.
- October 26, 1796
- Whaling ship Mermaid sights Kaikoura Mountains.
- October 26, 1863
- Chamber of Commerce transfers from Lyttelton.
- October 26, 1980
- City Council gives land at Cuthberts Green to the trustees of new Ngā Hau E Whā National Marae.
- October 26, 1982
- Old library re-opens as Library Chambers (architect Don Donnithorne).