| 1670 |
Charles Town, the capital
city of Carolina, is founded. The city was located across
the Ashley River from its present location. |
| 1690 |
Charles Town is moved to
the site of present day Charleston. With a bustling population
of 1200, the city was the fifth largest in North America. |
| 1700 |
The city of Charles Town
has grown into a major trading center. Plantations begin
to appear along the rivers. |
| 1712 |
The territory of Carolina
is divided into North and South. Each territory will
have its own governor. |
| 1718 |
The pirate Blackbeard arrives
in Charles Town harbor with four ships. He proceeds to
take hostages for ransom. |
| 1721 |
South Carolina becomes
a royal colony. |
| 1774 |
Local resident, Henry Middleton
becomes President of the Continental Congress. |
| 1776 |
The first major naval battle
takes place in the waters off Fort Moultrie. A fleet
of eleven British warships and a battalion of 1500 troops
unsuccessfully try to take Fort Moultrie. |
| 1780 |
Charles Town surrenders
to the British beginning a two and a half year period
of occupation. Charles Town was considered the greatest
prize of the Revolutionary War. |
| 1783 |
The city of Charles Town
is officially incorporated and permanently adopts the
name Charleston. |
| 1860 |
The Ordinance of Secession
proclaiming South Carolina an independent commonwealth
is ratified in Charleston's Institute Hall. |
| 1861 |
Confederate troops fire
on Fort Sumter sounding the first shots of the Civil
War. |
| 1886 |
An earthquake estimated
to be a 7.5 on the Richter scale strikes Charleston resulting
in 83 deaths and six million dollars in damages. |
| 1925 |
A new dance begins in Charleston's
pubs and dance halls and is soon named "The Charleston". |
| 1977 |
The first Spoleto Festival
USA is held. |
| 1982 |
The construction of Charleston
Place sets off a building and rehabilitation boom in
downtown Charleston. |
| 1989 |
Hurricane Hugo hits Charleston.
Seventy-five per cent of the homes in Charleston's historic
district are damaged and eighty per cent of the homes
on Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach are either damaged
or destroyed. The total price tag for the disaster reaches
2.8 billion dollars. Hugo prompted a huge resurgence
of restoration and rebuilding and Charleston is now more
beautiful than ever. |
| 1995 |
Clive Cussler announces
that he and his crew have discovered the wreck of the
Confederate submarine, the H.L. Hunley off of the coast
of Sullivan's Island. |
| 1999 |
In August, the new 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Charleston Area Convention Center Complex opened, complementing the 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum and the new 2,300-seat North Charleston Performing Arts Center. |
| 2000 |
Fish, sharks, alligators and birds get new homes as the South Carolina Aquarium opened its doors in May. Located on the waterfront of historic Charleston, the aquarium showcases more than 10,000 animals and 5,000 plants. |
| 2001 |
Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament moved to Charleston to play at a new facility and stadium on Daniel Island. Jennifer Capriati took home the first trophy |
| 2002 |
Final exhibits were completed and installed in the new Fort Sumter Interpretive Center at Aquarium Wharf. |
| 2004 |
The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island Resort’s sumptuous new hotel, opened, creating a whole new level of excellence in oceanfront properties along the East Coast. |
| 2005 |
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge opens, becoming the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. |
| 2006 |
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site at the landing place and community of the original 1670 settlers reopened to the public after extensive renovations. |
| 2009 |
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park opens, boosting a new pier, visitor center, event venue, park and war memorial. |
