Timeline of the North

A chronological index of the defining moments in Northern history.

2nd Century

• 122 AD: Construction of Hadrian’s Wall begins.

18th Century

• 1764: Invention of the Spinning Jenny.
• 1779: The Iron Bridge opens.

19th Century

• 1819: The Peterloo Massacre.
• 1825: Stockton and Darlington Railway opens.
• 1829: Stephenson’s Rocket wins the Rainhill Trials.
• 1840: Cunard Line founded.
• 1878: Joseph Swan demonstrates the lightbulb.
• 1894: Manchester Ship Canal opens.

20th Century

• 1903: Suffragette movement founded in Manchester.
• 1926: Brunner, Mond & Co forms ICI.