Timeline Of Riga
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timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale representi ...
of the
history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the History of writing#Inventions of writing, invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbr ...
of the city of
Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...
,
Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...
.


12th–14th centuries

* 1158 CE – Area settled by
Bremen Bremen (Low German also: ''Breem'' or ''Bräm''), officially the City Municipality of Bremen (german: Stadtgemeinde Bremen, ), is the capital of the German state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (''Freie Hansestadt Bremen''), a two-city-state consis ...
merchants. * 1190 – Augustinian monastery established. * 1201 – Town built by Catholic bishop
Albert Albert may refer to: Companies * Albert (supermarket), a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic * Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands * Albert Market, a street market in The Gambia * Albert Productions, a record label * Albert ...
. * 1202 **
Bishopric In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associate ...
of
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
relocates to Riga from Üxküll. ** Order of the Brethren of the Sword founded. * 1209 – St. Peter's Church active. * 1211 – Church of the Virgin construction begins. * 1225 ** active (approximate date). ** St. James's Church dedicated. * 1234 – St. John's Chapel built (approximate date). * 1255 –
Archbishopric of Riga The Archbishopric of Riga ( la, Archiepiscopatus Rigensis, nds, Erzbisdom Riga) was an archbishopric in Terra Mariana, Medieval Livonia, a subject to the Holy See. It was established in 1186 as the bishopric of Livonia at Ikšķile, then after ...
established. * 1260 – St. Mary Magdalene's Church built. * 1282 – Riga joins
Hanseatic League The Hanseatic League (; gml, Hanse, , ; german: label=Modern German, Deutsche Hanse) was a medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Central and Northern Europe. Growing from a few North German to ...
. * 1330 –
Brotherhood of Blackheads The Brotherhood of Blackheads (german: Bruderschaft der Schwarzhäupter; et, Mustpeade vennaskond; lv, Melngalvju brālības) is an association of local unmarried male merchants, ship owners, and foreigners that was active in Livonia (present- ...
organized.


16th century

* 1510 – December:
Christmas tree A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. The custom was further developed in early modern ...
displayed in marketplace. * 1515 –
Riga Castle Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava (river), Daugava river where ...
rebuilt. * 1524 – Public library established. * 1541 – Riga joins
League of Schmalkalden The Schmalkaldic League (; ; or ) was a military alliance of Lutheran princes within the Holy Roman Empire during the mid-16th century. Although created for religious motives soon after the start of the Reformation, its members later came to ...
. * 1547 –
Sigismund II of Poland Sigismund II Augustus ( pl, Zygmunt II August, lt, Žygimantas Augustas; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler ...
in power. * 1558 – Riga area besieged by Russians. * 1561 – Territory
converts Religious conversion is the adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religious denomination to the exclusion of others. Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliatin ...
to
Lutheranism Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...
from
Catholicism The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
. * 1581 – Riga is granted status of Imperial Free City. * 1582 – Polish in power. * 1584 – begin. * 1588 – sets up
printing Printing is a process for mass reproducing text and images using a master form or template. The earliest non-paper products involving printing include cylinder seals and objects such as the Cyrus Cylinder and the Cylinders of Nabonidus. The ea ...
business. * 1591 – St. Gertrude Church rebuilt.


17th century

* 1621 – Riga taken by forces of
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus (9 December Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates">N.S_19_December.html" ;"title="Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Old Style and New Style dates">N.S 19 December">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/now ...
. * 1638 – Church of Jesus consecrated. * 1650 –
Powder Tower A powder tower (german: Pulverturm), occasionally also powder house (''Pulverhaus''), was a building used by the military or by mining companies, frequently a tower, to store gunpowder or, later, explosives. They were common until the 20th centur ...
rebuilt. * 1656 – Riga
besieged Besieged may refer to: * the state of being under siege * ''Besieged'' (film), a 1998 film by Bernardo Bertolucci {{disambiguation ...
by Russian forces of
Alexis Mikhailovich Aleksey Mikhaylovich ( rus, Алексе́й Миха́йлович, p=ɐlʲɪkˈsʲej mʲɪˈxajləvʲɪtɕ; – ) was the Tsar of Russia from 1645 until his death in 1676. While finding success in foreign affairs, his reign saw several wars ...
. * 1698 – Swedish Gate constructed.


18th century

* 1710 – Siege of Riga; Russians in power. * 1721 – Riga becomes part of Russian empire. * 1728 – St. Peter and St. Paul Church built (approximate date). * 1765 – City Hall built. * 1773 **
Great Cemetery The Great Cemetery ( lv, Lielie kapi; german: Großer Friedhof) was formerly the principal cemetery of Riga in Latvia, established in 1773. It was the main burial ground of the Baltic Germans in Latvia. Extensive damage and removal of many heads ...
and
Pokrov Cemetery Pokrov Cemetery ( lv, Pokrova kapi) is a wide cemetery in Riga built in 1773. The current owner of the cemetery is Shelter of Our Most Holy Lady Church who are renting the land. Two Red Army burial sites are located in the cemetery – a smalle ...
established. ** Himsel Museum established. * 1781 – City becomes capital of Riga viceroyalty. * 1782 – The Riga City Theater is founded. * 1785 – Our Lady of Sorrows Church built. * 1796 – City becomes capital of
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
. * 1798 – Grebenstchikov House of Prayer rebuilt.


19th century

* 1812 ** Fire. ** Siege of Riga by French forces. * 1817 – Wohrmann Park inaugurated. * 1818 ** Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady Church built. ** Erection of a granite column in a square facing the citadel to commemorate the defeat of
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
in 1812. * 1825 – St. Alexander Nevsky Church built. * 1833 – Homeopathic pharmacy opened by the Association of Chemists and Pharmaceutists. * 1845 –
Museum of Natural History A natural history museum or museum of natural history is a scientific institution with natural history collections that include current and historical records of animals, plants, fungi, ecosystems, geology, paleontology, climatology, and more. ...
founded. * 1852 – St. Martin's Church built. * 1854 – Riga blockaded by British. * 1855 – Exchange built. * 1857 ** Large Guild built. ** Population: 70,463. * 1858 – City fortifications dismantled. * 1859 – English Church built. * 1861 –
Riga Central Station __NOTOC__ Riga Central Station ( lv, Rīgas Centrālā stacijа) is the main railway station in Riga, Latvia. It is known as the main point of Riga due to its central location, and most forms of public transport stop in this area. Part of the bui ...
built;
Riga – Daugavpils Railway Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Bal ...
begins operating. * 1862 –
Riga Polytechnical Institute Riga Technical University (RTU) ( lv, Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte) is the oldest technical university in the Baltic countries established on October 14, 1862. It is located in Riga, Latvia and was previously known as 'Riga Polytechnical Instit ...
founded. * 1863 – Riga City Theatre built. * 1866 – Small Guild built. * 1867 – Population: 102,590. * 1868 **
Riga – Jelgava Railway Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Bal ...
begins operating. ** Riga Latvian Society founded. * 1869 ** Polytechnic built. ** Riga City Art Gallery opens. ** Latvian Museum of National History founded. * 1870 – Kunstverein founded. * 1873 –
Latvian Song and Dance Festival The Latvian Song and Dance Festival ( lv, Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki) is one of the largest amateur choral and dancing events in the world and an important event in Latvian culture and social life. As one of the Baltic song ...
begins. * 1877 – Tornakalns – Tukums II Railway begins operating;
Brasa Station Brasa Station is a railway stop A railway stop is a spot along a railway line, usually between stations or at a seldom-used station, where passengers can board and exit the train. While a junction or interlocking usually divides two or mor ...
opens. * 1878 – Imperial city self-government statute in effect. * 1881 – Population: 169,329. * 1883 **
Riga Russian Theatre The Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre ( lv, Mihaila Čehova Rīgas Krievu teātris, russian: Рижский русский театр имени Михаила Чехова), colloquially referred to as the Russian Theatre ( lv, Krievu teātris ...
established. **
Nativity Cathedral Nativity or The Nativity may refer to: Birth of Jesus Christ * Nativity of Jesus, the Gospel stories of the birth of Jesus Christ * Nativity of Jesus in art, any depiction of the nativity scene ** ''Nativity'' (Campin), a 1420 panel painting by ...
built. * 1887 – St. Paul's Lutheran Church built. * 1889 – Riga – Lugazi Railway begins operating. * 1890 – becomes mayor. * 1891 ** Church of Luther consecrated. ** Russian language becomes official language of Baltic provinces. * 1892 ** Municipal "counter-reform" enacted by imperial government. ** St. Francis Church consecrated. * 1895 – Holy Trinity Orthodox Church built; Holy Archangel Mikhail Church dedicated. * 1897 – Population: 282,943.


20th century

* 1903 – Commercial school established. * 1905 ** 13 January: Demonstration suppressed by Russian army. ** Museum of Art built. * 1906 ** (library) opens. ** St. Gertrude New Church built. ** established. * 1907 – Holy Trinity Cathedral built. * 1909 – Church of the Cross and Cat House built. * 1912 –
Riga Zoo Riga Zoo is a city-owned zoo in Riga, Latvia. It is located in Mežaparks neighbourhood next to the Mežaparks park, on the western bank of Ķīšezers lake. Riga Zoo houses around 4000 animals of nearly 500 species and is visited by 250–30 ...
opens. * 1914 **
Railway Bridge A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whic ...
inaugurated. ** Population: 569,100. * 1915 **
Brothers' Cemetery Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren ( lv, Brāļu Kapi), also sometimes referred to in English as the Common Graves or simply as the Military Cemetery, is a military cemetery and national monument in Riga, capital of Latvia. The ceme ...
established. ** Port closed. * 1916 – Riflemen Museum founded. * 1917 – 3 September: Germans in power. * 1918 – 18 November: Riga becomes capital of independent Latvia. * 1919 ** 3 January: Soviets in power. ** May: Soviets ousted. **
National Library of Latvia The National Library of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka) is a national cultural institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia. Its current main building is known as the Castle of Light ( lv, Gaismas pils) ...
, Latvia Higher School, Latvian Conservatory of Music, and
Latvian National Theatre The Latvian National Theatre ( lv, Latvijas Nacionālais teātris) is one of the leading professional theatres in Latvia. The building is in the Eclectic style and is an architectural and artistic monument. The country of Latvia was proclaimed ...
founded. ** Latvju Opera active. * 1920 ** Riga Artists Group formed. ** Latvian Museum of Foreign Art established. **
Dailes Theatre The Dailes Theatre ( lv, Dailes teātris) is a professional Latvian theater founded by Latvian director and actor Eduards Smiļģis (1886-1966) on November 19, 1920 at the Craftsmen Relief Society House at Lāčplēša Street 25, Riga, Latvia. T ...
opens. * 1921 –
Art Academy An art school is an educational institution with a primary focus on the visual arts, including fine art – especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design. Art schools can offer elementary, secondary, post-second ...
established. * 1922 – created. * 1927 – Mezaparks Lutheran Church active. * 1928 –
Spilve Airport Spilve Airport ( lv, Spilves lidosta, also given as ''Rīgas Centrālā lidosta'' – Riga Central Airport) is a former civilian and military airport in Latvia located 5 km north of Riga's city centre, from which aircraft took off as early a ...
in operation. * 1930 –
Riga Central Market Riga Central Market ( lv, Rīgas Centrāltirgus) is Europe's largest market and bazaar in Riga, Latvia. It is one of the most notable structures from 20th century in Latvia and has been included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list together with Old ...
built. * 1932 –
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs) is an open-air museum located just outside Riga, the capital of Latvia, on the lightly wooded shores of Jugla Lake. History In 1924, the Latvian Cou ...
opens. * 1935 –
Freedom Monument The Freedom Monument ( lv, Brīvības piemineklis, ) is located in Riga, Latvia, honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920). It is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty ...
unveiled. * 1937 ** Mangali – Rujiena Railway begins operating. ** City hosts
EuroBasket 1937 The 1937 FIBA European Championship, commonly called FIBA EuroBasket 1937, was the second FIBA EuroBasket regional basketball championship, held by FIBA. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) took pa ...
. * 1940 –
Soviet The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
incorporation. * 1941 ** 13–14 June:
June deportation The June deportation ( et, juuniküüditamine, lv, jūnija deportācijas, lt, birželio trėmimai) was a Population transfer in the Soviet Union, mass deportation by the Soviet Union of tens of thousands of people from the Soviet occupation of t ...
. ** 1 July:
German occupation German-occupied Europe refers to the sovereign countries of Europe which were wholly or partly occupied and civil-occupied (including puppet governments) by the military forces and the government of Nazi Germany at various times between 1939 an ...
begins. ** October: Jewish ghetto created. **
Proletariat The proletariat (; ) is the social class of wage-earners, those members of a society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labour power (their capacity to work). A member of such a class is a proletarian. Marxist philo ...
, Kirov, and
Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...
administrative districts Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are generic names for geographical areas into which a particular, ind ...
established. * 1944 ** 13 October:
Soviets Soviet people ( rus, сове́тский наро́д, r=sovyétsky naród), or citizens of the USSR ( rus, гра́ждане СССР, grázhdanye SSSR), was an umbrella demonym for the population of the Soviet Union. Nationality policy in th ...
in power again. ** founded. * 1946 –
Dinamo Riga Dinamo Riga ( lv, Rīgas Dinamo) is a professional ice hockey team based in Riga, Latvia. It is a member of the Latvian Hockey Higher League. The club is affiliated with HK Zemgale/LLU. The club was re-founded on 7 April 2008 as a successor of ...
ice hockey team formed. * 1949 **March 25th-28th: March Deportations **
Riga Autobus Factory The Riga Autobus Factory (RAF; ) was a factory in Jelgava, Latvia, making vans and minibuses under the brand name Latvija. History Origins, Riga period During the Soviet period, RAF and UAZ were the only producers of vans and minibuse ...
is founded. * 1950 – Riga Medical Institute established. * 1954 –
Latvijas Televīzija Latvijas Televīzija (''Latvian Television'', LTV) is the state-owned public service television broadcaster in Latvia. LTV operates two channels, LTV1 in Latvian and LTV7 (previously called LTV2) in Latvian with selected programming in Russian ...
(television station) headquartered in city. * 1956 **
Academy of Sciences An academy of sciences is a type of learned society or academy (as special scientific institution) dedicated to sciences that may or may not be state funded. Some state funded academies are tuned into national or royal (in case of the Unite ...
building constructed. **
Riga Aviation Museum Riga Aviation Museum is an aviation museum in Riga, Latvia. Location and history The museum was located on the grounds of Riga International Airport and is regularly open for public viewing. Its Latvian language, Latvian name is ''Rīgas aviāc ...
established. * 1957 ** '' Rīgas Balss'' newspaper begins publication. ** Stone Bridge opens. * 1958 **
TTT Riga TTT Rīga is a professional women's basketball club based in Riga, Latvia. "TTT" means Tram and Trolley Trust. The team held its first official game on 5 November 1958. The next 25 years are known as the ''First Golden age'' of the club. Internati ...
and
BK VEF Rīga VEF Rīga is a Latvian professional basketball team that is based in Riga, Latvia. VEF Rīga is a nine-time Latvian Basketball League champion. History Early years The club name VEF came from the radio manufacturing company VEF which created th ...
basketball clubs formed. ** Daugava Stadium opens. * 1964 – Coach Terminal built. * 1965 – Population: 657,000. * 1969 –
October October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus , October retained its name (from Latin and Greek ''ôct ...
,
Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. ( 1870 – 21 January 1924), better known as Vladimir Lenin,. was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 19 ...
, and
Leningrad Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
administrative districts Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are generic names for geographical areas into which a particular, ind ...
established. * 1972 – Andrejs Upits' Memorial Museum founded. * 1973 –
Riga International Airport Riga International Airport ( lv, Starptautiskā lidosta "Rīga"; ) is the international airport of Riga, the capital of Latvia, and the largest airport in the Baltic states with direct flights to 76 destinations as of November 2019. It serves as ...
built. * 1977 – Island Bridge built. * 1979 – Population: 840,000. * 1981 – Gorky Bridge opens. * 1984 ** Alfreds Rubiks becomes mayor. **
Zolitūde Zolitūde () is mainly an apartment house neighbourhood (or microdistrict) located in the western part of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Zolitūde is a centrally planned estate, consisting mostly of prefabricated concrete block Brutalist style ho ...
construction begins. * 1985 **
Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders The Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders,; russian: Памятник освободителям Советской Латвии и Риги от немецко-фашистских захватч ...
erected. ** Krisjanis Barons Memorial Museum established. ** Population: 883,000. * 1986 –
Riga Radio and TV Tower The Riga Radio and TV Tower ( lv, Rīgas radio un televīzijas tornis) in Riga, Latvia is the tallest tower in the European Union. It was built between 1979 and 1989 with funding from the central government of the Soviet Union. Its highest point r ...
built. * 1987 ** 14 June: Demonstrators commemorate 1941 deportations. ** Latvian Museum of Pharmacy founded. * 1988 –
Riga Film Museum Riga Film Museum is the only museum of its kind in Latvia. It holds various exhibitions that display different aspects of cinema art, actors and film history. The museum was founded in 1988 and is located in two buildings: an 18th-century building ...
established. * 1989 ** Arsenals – Fine Arts Museum active **
Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design The Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design is an arts museum in Riga, Latvia. The museum was established on 1 January 1989 and opened to the public on 6 July 1989. It is located in the former church St. George's Church, Riga, the oldest ...
opens. **
Riga Motor Museum Riga Motor Museum ( lv, Rīgas motormuzejs) is the biggest antique vehicle museum in the Baltic countries, located in Riga, Latvia. The museum is a state agency operating under the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Transport. Since 1992, the museum ...
founded. * 1990 ** 4 May: Restoration of Latvian independence ** ''
Diena ''Diena'' (''The Day'') is a Latvian language national daily newspaper in Latvia, published since 23 November 1990. It is one of Latvia's largest daily periodicals and used to be considered as a paper of record. Following the change of ownersh ...
'' newspaper begins publication. **
Latvian Academy of Culture The Latvian Academy of Culture ( lv, Latvijas Kultūras akadēmija) is a higher education establishment in Latvia offering various bachelor's, magister and doctoral degree programmes on cultural subjects. The academy was founded in 1990 and is lo ...
established. **
Andris Teikmanis Andris Teikmanis (29 November 1959; Riga, Latvia) is a Latvian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He served as first post-soviet Mayor of Riga from 1990 to 1994. In September 2016 he was accredited as the Latvian ambassador to the United States. H ...
becomes mayor. * 1991 ** January:
The Barricades The Barricades ( lv, Barikādes) were a series of confrontations between the Republic of Latvia and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in January 1991 which took place mainly in Riga. The events are named for the popular effort of building ...
. ** 6 September: USSR recognizes Latvian independence. ** St. Peter's Church rebuilt. **
Riga Marathon The Riga Marathon (also known as the Rimi Riga Marathon) is an annual road marathon held in Riga, Latvia, since 1991. A flat, single-lap marathon course in the Baltic states, Baltics' largest city. The marathon course has been measured and certif ...
begins. * 1992 ** Banking College founded. **
New Riga Theatre New Riga Theatre ( lv, Jaunais Rīgas teātris) is a theatre in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1992. Several world known Latvian directors have started their career in this theatre, like Alvis Hermanis, Viesturs Kairišs among others. Di ...
opens. ** Latvian Institute of International Affairs headquartered in city. * 1993 ** 8 September:
Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...
visits Riga and celebrates mass at St. James's Cathedral and in
Mežaparks Mežaparks (german: Kaiserwald) is a neighbourhood of Northern District in Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The ...
. **
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs) is a museum and historic educational institution located in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1993 to exhibit artifacts, archive documents, and educate the public about th ...
and Latvian Museum of Photography inaugurated. ** School of Business Administration Turiba founded. ** '' Rīgas Laiks'' magazine and ''Vakara Ziņas'' newspaper begin publication. * 1994 ** Maris Purgailis becomes mayor. ** Latvian Museum of Architecture and
Latvian Railway History Museum Latvian Railway History Museum ( lv, Latvijas dzelzceļa vēstures muzejs) is a railway museum with expositions in Riga and in Jelgava, dedicated to the history of railway and its development in Latvia . The museum is a structural unit of the co ...
established. **
Stockholm School of Economics in Riga The Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (''SSE Riga'' or lv, Rīgas Ekonomikas augstskola) is a business school in Riga, Latvia. It is a subsidiary of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). The school was founded in 1994 by the Stockholm Sc ...
campus established. * 1995 –
Latvian National Opera The Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB) is an opera house and opera company at Aspazijas boulevard 3 in Riga. Its repertoire includes performances of opera and ballet presented during the season which lasts from mid-September to the end of Ma ...
house renovated. * 1996 – Skonto Arena opens. * 1997 – Andris Berzins becomes mayor. * 1998 –
Riga Graduate School of Law The Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) ( lv, Rīgas Juridiskā augstskola) in Riga, Latvia is an autonomous law school in Baltic region offering Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral studies. It was established in 1998 through an international agreeme ...
established. * 1999 ** Riga Aviation University founded. ** City hosts
1999 European Athletics Junior Championships The 1999 European Athletics Junior Championships were held in Riga, Latvia on August 5–8. Men's results Women's results Medal table Referenceseuropean-athletics- European Athletics- GBR Athletics- GBR AthleticsHistoria Europy Juniorów ...
. ** House of the Blackheads rebuilt. * 2000 ** Andris Argalis becomes mayor. **
BK Barons Kvartāls BK Barons/LDz (previously Barons/LMT) was a professional basketball club which is based in Riga, Latvia. The team played in the first division of Latvian Basketball League. History Barons kvartāls was an integral part of Latvia's recent bas ...
basketball club and Baltic Institute of Social Sciences established. **
Skonto Stadium Skonto Stadium ( lv, Skonto stadions) is a football stadium in Riga, Latvia. The stadium was built in 2000 and currently has 8,087 seats in total (open for spectators & VIP guests on matchdays). It is the 2nd-largest stadium in Latvia, behind Daug ...
opens. ** International Charter on Authenticity and Historical Reconstruction in Relationship to Cultural Heritage signed in Riga.


21st century

* 2001 ** Gundars Bojars becomes mayor. ** 800th anniversary of founding of Riga. ** Riga Porcelain Museum and Kino Citadele open. ** Bikernieki Memorial unveiled. * 2002 – Providus Centre for Public Policy established. * 2003 ** Rigas Satiksme founded. ** City hosts
Eurovision Song Contest 2003 The Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the 48th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Riga, Latvia, following the country's victory at the with the song " I Wanna" by Marie N. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) a ...
. ** Population: 739,232. * 2004 ** 1 May: Latvia joins the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...
. ** (hi-rise) built. * 2005 ** 2 February: . ** 12 March: held. **
Aivars Aksenoks Aivars Aksenoks (born 24 May 1961) is a Latvian politician. A founder of the right-wing New Era, Aksenoks has a degree in engineering from the Riga Technical University and was the director of State Road and Traffic Safety Agency from 1992–2002 ...
becomes mayor. ** Latvian National Museum of Art and
JFK Olimps JFK Olimps was a Latvian football club, playing in the top division of Latvian football. The club was from the city of Riga. According to a study from January 2011, the club was the youngest team in Europe, with an average age of 19.02 years. ...
football club established. **
Riga Salsa Festival Riga Salsa Festival is an annual dancing event that takes place in Riga, Latvia. The event has become one of the most important salsa events in the Baltic Countries and many salsa fans from abroad also come to participate. The festival originate ...
begins. * 2006 **
Riga Planning Region Riga Region ( lv, Rīgas reģions), officially Riga Planning Region ( lv, Rīgas plānošanas reģions) and shortened as RPR is one of five planning regions of Latvia, situated in the central part of Latvia, in and around the metropolis of Riga ...
and FK Jauniba Riga football club established. ** City hosts
NATO summit A NATO summit is a summit meeting that is regarded as a periodic opportunity for heads of state and heads of government of NATO member countries to evaluate and provide strategic direction for Alliance activities. NATO summits are not regular ...
. **
Arena Riga Arena Riga ( lv, Arēna Rīga) is an indoor arena in Riga, Latvia. It is primarily used for ice hockey, basketball and concerts. Arena Riga holds a maximum of 14,500 and was opened on 15 February 2006. It was built to be used as one of the v ...
opens. ** City hosts
2006 IIHF World Championship The 2006 IIHF World Championship was held in between 5–21 May 2006 in Riga, Latvia. It was the 70th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). One of the requirements of the IIHF for Latvia to host the event ...
. * 2007 – Janis Birks becomes mayor. * 2008 –
Southern Bridge The Southern Bridge ( lv, Dienvidu tilts) is an extradosed bridge built across the Daugava River in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The bridge was constructed between 2004 and 2008, and was opened on November 17, 2008. Construction of the access ...
opens. * 2009 ** 13 January:
Riot A riot is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property, or people. Riots typically involve destruction of property, public or private. The property targete ...
. ** Nils Usakovs becomes mayor. ** Pushkin Statue erected. * 2010 **
Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC; , EEKRE; german: Gremium Europäischer Regulierungsstellen für elektronische Kommunikation, GEREK), based in Riga (Latvia), is the regulating agency of the telecommunication mar ...
headquartered in Riga. ** Population: 703,260. * 2013 ** 20 June:
Castle fire SQF Complex or Sequoia Complex was a complex of two of the August 2020 California lightning wildfires, burning in Sequoia National Forest and adjacent areas. Sparked on August 19, it included the Castle and Shotgun fires. As of January 5, 2021, ...
. ** 21 November: Supermarket roof collapse. * 2014 –
National Library of Latvia The National Library of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka) is a national cultural institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia. Its current main building is known as the Castle of Light ( lv, Gaismas pils) ...
new building constructed. * 2015 –
Zunda Towers The Zunda Towers (formerly known as the Z-Towers) are a pair of skyscrapers in Riga, Latvia. The buildings were designed by Latvian architectural firm F.L.Tadao & Lukševics, while the façade was designed by architect Helmut Jahn. Both tow ...
built. * 2021 – Hostel fire. * 2022 –
Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders The Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders,; russian: Памятник освободителям Советской Латвии и Риги от немецко-фашистских захватч ...
demolished.


See also

*
History of Riga The history of Riga, the capital of Latvia, begins as early as the 2nd century with a settlement, the ''Duna urbs'', at a natural harbor not far upriver from the mouth of the Daugava River. Later settled by Livs and Kurs, it was already an esta ...
*
Mayors of Riga In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...


References

''This article incorporates information from the
Latvian Wikipedia The Latvian Wikipedia ( lv, Vikipēdija latviešu valodā ) is the Latvian language, Latvian-language edition of the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia. It was created on 6 June 2003. With more than articles, it is currently the -largest Wikipedi ...
,
Polish Wikipedia The Polish Wikipedia ( pl, Polskojęzyczna Wikipedia) is the Polish-language edition of Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia. Founded on September 26, 2001, it now has more than articles, making it the -largest Wikipedia edition overall.
, and Russian Wikipedia.''


Bibliography

;Published in 17th-19th centuries * circa 1652/1680 * *

* * * * * * * * * * ;Published in 20th century * * * * * *

* Grava, Sigurd. "The Urban Heritage of the Soviet Regime The Case of Riga, Latvia." ''Journal of the American Planning Association'' 59.1 (1993): 9-30. * ;Published in 21st century * Šolks, Guntis, Gita Dejus, and Krists Legzdiņš. "Transformation of Historic Industrial Areas in Riga." ''Book of Proceedings''. (2012
online


External links

*
Map of Ryga region
ca.1700s * Europeana

various dates. {{coord, 56.948889, 24.106389, type:city_region:LV, display=title History of Riga,
Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...
Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...
Years in Latvia
Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...