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Manchester History |
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The earliest origins
of Manchester can be traced back to a Roman fortress called Mancunium in c.79AD, the ruins of which can still
be seen at Castlefield. After the Romans left in c.410AD the fort was maintained and developed by the Saxons, although it was not until 1301 and the grant of charter that the town began to develop. Through the centuries that followed, Manchester developed a thriving textile industry, initially based on wool. Culturally too there were significant steps forward with the establishment of the Manchester Grammar School in 1515. Without a doubt, the main factor that transformed the town into one of the country's leading industrial cities was cotton. From the 1720s there was a huge upsurge in both international trade and technology, with the invention of Hargreaves’ Spinning Jenny in 1767 and Crompton's Mule in 1779. These developments combined with the opening of the Bridgewater Canal in 1761 allowed Manchester to offer the world a model of industrial society. The 19th century was a period of unparalleled industrial and cultural growth and in 1821 the Manchester Guardian was first published. In addition to being the first industrial city, Manchester has also played host to many other world-firsts, including the opening if first purpose built passenger railway – Liverpool to Manchester – in 1830. Then in 1863 the Co-operative Wholesale Society was formed whilst work on the Manchester Ship Canal began in 1887. Women’s rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst also founded the Women's Socal and Political Union in 1903 in her home, which still stands, in Nelson Street, Manchester. In 1919 Rutherford first split the atom in Manchester and in 1948 the world's first electronic stored programme computer was developed here. Of course, many other factors have also had a bearing on the city, including sport, music and an IRA bomb. Manchester is home to the world’s most famous and arguably the biggest football team in the world, Manchester United FC. The city’s music is also hugely influential, from the famous Halle Orchestra – formed in 1857 – to pop and rock bands such as New Order, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis and Take That. The final years of the 20th century also had an enormous impact on contemporary Manchester when in 1996 a huge IRA bomb devastated much of the city centre. A subsequent influx of financial aid and support has helped to remould the city as a confident, modern, cultural centre. The many prestigious developments such as the Bridgewater Hall, Millennium Quarter and the re-development of Salford Quays helping to create a worthy new environment. So although no great treaty has been signed in Manchester and no famous battle won here, the city has been responsible for something much more important – leading the world into the modern age. And that legacy remains today with mills converted into swanky bars, waterways used as tourist attractions and museums celebrating the wonder of the industrial revolution. |
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