History
Back before our calendar began, Basel had already been occupied by the Celts. In 30 B.C. the city's strategically favourable position led the Romans to station its military forces on the hill now occupied by the cathedral.
One key event in the development of the city was the founding of the University in the year 1460. Many of Europe's greatest minds came to Basel, which became a veritable centre of humanism and book printing.
The Reformation witnessed the growth of the silk weaving and dyeing industries which in turn gave rise to today's pharmaceutical and chemical companies. The once fortified settlement is today a financial and commercial hub and a celebrated city of culture.
Dates from the history of Basel
| Timeline | Event |
| 44 B.C | Foundation of the Roman settlement Augusta Raurica (Augst) by the Roman General Lucius Munatius Plancus. Roman fortifications in Basel on the hill where nowadays the Minster stands |
| In 374 A.D. | The name of Basel (Basilia) is first mentioned by a Roman historian, Ammanius Marcellinus, on the occasion of a visit of the Emperor Valentinian I to the city |
| 7th century | In the beginning of the 7th century the Bishop's seat was transfered from Augst to Basel |
| 917 | The settlement and the Carolingian Minster were destroyed by the Hungarians. Death of Bishop Rudolph (sarcophagus in the Cathedral) |
| 1006 | The civil power of the Bishop was established in Basel by decree of the Emperor Henry II |
| 1019 | Consecration of the Roman Minster by the Emperor Henry II |
| 1080 | First town-wall erected under Bishop Burchard |
| 1185 | Great fire burns down the city |
| 1225 | The first wooden bridge was spanned across the Rhine under Bishop Henry of Thoune. It is the nowadays Mittlere Rheinbrücke and had being made of stone between 1903-1906 |
| 1349 | The so-called "Black Death" plague was raging in Basel |
| 1356 | On the 18th October a part of the city and the Minster was destroyed by the great earthquake |
| 1392 | Reunion of Greater and Lesser Basel |
| 1398 | The third town-wall, which was begun in 1362, is completed |
| 1431-1448 | Basel City is during that time the Christian's world center of interest. The "Council of Basel" wants to reform the Church. In 1440 Pope Felix V is elected and crowned |
| 1444 | St. Jakob's battle next to the river Birse between Swiss confederates' small troop and the too strong Armagnacs' army under the French Dauphin |
| 1460 | Foundation of Basel's University (the oldest university in Switzerland) by Pope Pius II |
| 1471 | The Emperor Friedrich III confers on Basel the right to hold 2 fairs a year |
| 1501 | Basel is accepted into the Swiss Confederation |
| 1529 | Johannes Oekolampad introduces the Reformation. The Bishop of Basel leaves the city and settles down at Porrentruy and later on at Soleure. |
| 1648 | After the thirty-year war (1618-1648), Mayor Johann Rudolf, from Basel, takes part in the Peace Congress of Münster and Osnabrück in Westphalia and succeedes in getting the absolute sovereignity for the Swiss Confederation |
| 1662 | The Council and the University buy up to the Amerbach family their artcabinet. First public art collection in the world |
| 1833 | The canton of Basel was separated into 2 half-cantons : Basel-Town and Basel-Country |
| 1844 | The first railway-train reaches Basel |
| 1845 | The so-called "Baslertäubchen" is the first poststamp in Basel |
| 1897 | First Zionist congress in the world takes place in Basel. Theodor Herzl proclaims the Jewish State (Stadtcasino) |
| 1904 | Beginning of the navigation on the Rhin up to Basel |
| 1912 | World peace congress in Münster (international socialism) |
| 1917 | First Industries Fair |
| 1946 | Inauguration of Basel-Mulhouse’s airport |
| 1957 | 2000 years Basel |
| 1960 | 500 years University |
| 1963 | Foundation of Regio Basiliensis |
| 1971 | Connection of theFederal Railways’ Intercity net with Basel City |
| 1975 | Inauguration of the new theatre of Basel |
| 1980 | „Grün 80“: 2nd swiss exhibition on Garden and Countryside’s construction. Inauguration of the Contemporary Art Museum and the Paper, Script, Print Museum in St. Alban-Tal |
| 1981 | Reinauguration of the Historical Museum |
| 1989 | Meeting on the top. The french State President François Mitterand, The german Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and the President of Switzerland Jean-Pascal Delamuraz sign a declaration for a closer collaboration between the three countries. |
