History of Amsterdam in Timeline
Amsterdam, the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, boasts a population exceeding 921,000 within its city limits, growing to 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Situated in North Holland, Amsterdam is known as the "Venice of the North" due to its extensive network of canals, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's charm and rich history attract millions of visitors each year.
1900: Religious Demographics
In 1900, Christians comprised 70% of Amsterdam's population (45% Dutch Reformed, 25% Catholic).
1906: Amsterdam's Second Golden Age
The end of the 19th century marked Amsterdam's second Golden Age with the construction of new museums, a railway station, and the Concertgebouw. In 1906, Joseph Conrad described Amsterdam from the seaside in "The Mirror of the Sea".
1916: Flood Leads to Annexation
A flood in 1916 led to the annexation of several municipalities into Amsterdam in 1921.
1920: Amsterdam Assists Antwerp Olympics
In 1920, Amsterdam helped host sailing events for the Summer Olympics held in Antwerp, Belgium.
January 1921: Annexation of Municipalities
On January 1, 1921, Durgerdam, Holysloot, Zunderdorp, and Schellingwoude were annexed to Amsterdam.
1924: International Eucharistic Congress
The Catholic Church held the International Eucharistic Congress in Amsterdam in 1924. While festivities occurred in churches and stadiums, public processions were still prohibited.
1928: Amsterdam Hosts Summer Olympics
Amsterdam hosted the Summer Olympics in 1928, for which the Olympic Stadium was built.
1932: Amsterdam as Highway Hub
Amsterdam was planned in 1932 to be the central hub of the Netherlands' highway system. However, World War II and changing priorities altered these plans.
May 1940: Nazi Invasion
Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, leading to the deportation of over 100,000 Dutch Jews, many from Amsterdam.
May 1945: Liberation of Amsterdam
Amsterdam was liberated by Canadian forces in May 1945 after facing food shortages and hardship during the war.
1947: Amsterdam's Motto Bestowed
Queen Wilhelmina granted Amsterdam its official motto, "Heroic, Determined, Merciful," in 1947, recognizing the city's courage during World War II.
1949: "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" released
The song "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" ("On the canals of Amsterdam") was released in 1949, becoming a nostalgic tribute to the city.
1959: Peak Population
Amsterdam's population reached its highest point in 1959, with 872,000 residents.
1962: Wim Sonneveld's version of "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten"
Wim Sonneveld's rendition of "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" in 1962 became one of the most well-known versions of the song.
1964: Jacques Brel releases "Amsterdam"
In 1964, Jacques Brel released his song "Amsterdam", further adding to the city's musical repertoire.
1968: Construction of A8 and A10 Ringroad begins
Construction began on the A8 highway to Zaandam and the A10 Ringroad around Amsterdam in 1968.
1970: Start of Population Decline
Between 1970 and 1980, Amsterdam experienced a significant population decrease.
1970: Cancellation of A3 Highway
The planned A3 highway to Rotterdam was cancelled in 1970 to protect the Groene Hart area.
1973: Largest Population Loss
Amsterdam saw its largest single-year population loss in 1973, with a net decrease of 25,000 people.
1974: Completion of A8 and A10 Ringroad
The A8 highway and the A10 Ringroad around Amsterdam were opened in 1974 after starting construction in 1968.
1975: Surinamese Immigration
Following Suriname's independence in 1975, a substantial wave of Surinamese immigrants settled in Amsterdam, primarily in the Bijlmer area.
1977: Metro Begins Operation
A metro line started operating in 1977, connecting Bijlmermeer with central Amsterdam.
1980: End of Population Decline
The period of sharp population decline in Amsterdam, which began in 1970, ended in 1980.
1981: Amsterdam Divided into Boroughs
Starting in 1981, Amsterdam began dividing into semi-autonomous boroughs.
1983: Constitutional Revision and Amsterdam as Capital
The 1983 Dutch constitutional revision officially designated Amsterdam as the capital of the Netherlands. This revision clarified that royal investitures take place in Amsterdam, although the government and parliament typically reside in The Hague.
1985: Post-Decline Population
By 1985, after a period of decline, Amsterdam's population had fallen to 675,570.
1986: Opening of Dutch National Opera and Ballet
The Dutch National Opera and Ballet, originally known as Het Muziektheater, opened in 1986, becoming the home of the Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet.
1986: Stopera opens
The Stopera, a combination of the city hall and opera house, opened in 1986 in Amsterdam's former Jewish neighbourhood at Waterlooplein.
1991: Amsterdam Hosts World Gymnaestrada
Amsterdam hosted the World Gymnaestrada in 1991.
1993: Founding of Boom Chicago
In 1993, Boom Chicago was founded, establishing the English-spoken comedy scene in Amsterdam and opening its own theatre at Leidseplein.
1996: Ajax Moves to Johan Cruyff Arena
AFC Ajax moved to the Johan Cruyff Arena in 1996.
1998: Start of Halsema's time in the House of Representatives
Femke Halsema began her term in the House of Representatives in 1998.
1999: Museumplein remodelled
In 1999, Amsterdam's Museumplein (Museum Square) underwent a significant remodelling, giving it its current appearance. The square is a popular location for festivals and outdoor concerts, especially during the summer.
1999: Van Gogh Museum expansion
The Van Gogh Museum expanded in 1999 with the addition of a new building designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. This "performance wing" is dedicated to temporary exhibitions.
1999: First Amsterdam Sports Awards
The first Amsterdam Sports Awards were presented in 1999 to boxer Raymond Joval and field hockey player Carole Thate.
2000: Early Settlements
Around 2000 BC, farmers settled in the area that would become Amsterdam, living along the prehistoric IJ river and its tributary Amstel.
2000: Religious Demographics
In 2000, Christians were the largest religious group in Amsterdam (28%), followed by Muslims (8%), primarily Sunni.
2003: New Metro Line Construction Begins
Construction of a new metro line began in 2003, connecting the northern and southern parts of Amsterdam.
2003: Rijksmuseum renovation begins
In 2003, the Rijksmuseum embarked on a major renovation project that lasted for ten years.
2006: Rembrandt 400 Celebration
Amsterdam designated 2006 as "Rembrandt 400" to commemorate the artist's 400th birthday, offering special hotel arrangements and activities.
2007: European Cities Monitor Ranking
Amsterdam ranked fifth as a desirable location for international businesses in the 2007 European Cities Monitor, behind London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Barcelona.
2008: Metro Project Controversy
By 2008, the new metro line project faced controversy due to cost overruns and concerns about potential damage to buildings.
2008: Amsterdam Designated World Book Capital
In 2008, Amsterdam hosted 140 festivals and events and was named the World Book Capital by UNESCO.
2008: Plans for another Museumplein remodel
In 2008, due to public dissatisfaction with the Museumplein's appearance, plans were initiated to remodel the square once again.
2009: Renovation of Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam
In 2009, the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam saw the opening of its new hall, along with those of Toneelgroep Amsterdam and Melkweg. The theatre's front end renovation was also completed in 2009.
May 2010: Amsterdam Boroughs Reduced to Eight
In May 2010, Amsterdam reorganized its boroughs, reducing the number to eight.
July 2010: Grachtengordel UNESCO Recognition
In July 2010, Amsterdam's Grachtengordel was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2010: Eberhard van der Laan becomes Mayor
Eberhard van der Laan became Mayor of Amsterdam in 2010.
2010: Restructuring of Amsterdam Borough System
The Amsterdam borough system underwent restructuring in 2010, with smaller boroughs merging into larger ones.
2010: Amsterdam Boroughs Reach Fifteen
The number of boroughs in Amsterdam increased to fifteen in 2010.
2011: "Oude Wolf" voted Amsterdam's anthem
A 2011 poll by Het Parool resulted in Trio Bier's "Oude Wolf" being voted as Amsterdam's official city song.
2011: Bicycle Theft in Amsterdam
Approximately 83,000 bicycles were stolen in Amsterdam in 2011, illustrating a significant challenge despite the city's cycling popularity.
2011: End of Halsema's time in the House of Representatives
Femke Halsema's term in the House of Representatives ended in 2011.
2011: Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk voted best shopping street
In 2011, Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk were voted the best shopping streets in the Netherlands. These streets, along with the Negen Straatjes, are known for their diverse range of privately owned shops.
September 2012: Stedelijk Museum reopens
Following several years of renovations, the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam's premier museum of modern art, reopened in September 2012. It features a new extension nicknamed "The Bathtub".
2012: Rise of Tourism
Between 2012 and 2015, Amsterdam saw a significant increase in tourism, rising from 10 to 17 million visitors annually.
2012: Far East Movement Music Video Filmed
The music video for Far East Movement's "Live My Life" was filmed in Amsterdam in 2012.
April 2013: Rijksmuseum reopens after renovation
On April 13, 2013, the Rijksmuseum fully reopened to the public following a decade-long, 375 million euro renovation.
2013: Koninginnedag renamed Koningsdag
Koninginnedag was renamed Koningsdag in 2013 following the crowning of King Willem-Alexander.
2014: New Governing Majority Formed
A new governing majority consisting of D66, VVD, and SP was formed after the 2014 municipal council elections.
2014: Amsterdam Boroughs Lose Autonomous Status
Amsterdam boroughs lost significant autonomy in 2014 due to a reform of the Dutch Municipalities Act, resulting in the abolishment of district councils.
2014: Schiphol Airport Ranks High
In 2014, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was the fifth busiest airport globally in terms of international passengers.
2014: Urban Regeneration Initiatives
In 2014, Amsterdam renewed its focus on urban regeneration and renewal projects, particularly in areas adjacent to the city center, such as Frederik Hendrikbuurt.
2014: Port of Amsterdam Cargo Throughput
The Port of Amsterdam handled 97.4 million tons of cargo, primarily bulk cargo, in 2014.
2014: Opening of Theater Amsterdam
Theater Amsterdam opened in 2014, showcasing the play "ANNE", based on Anne Frank's life. This modern venue with harbor views became a new addition to Amsterdam's theater scene in 2014.
2015: Tourism Boom
By 2015, tourism in Amsterdam reached 17 million visitors annually, leading to concerns about rising real estate prices and local shops being replaced by tourist-oriented businesses.
2015: Religion in Amsterdam
Data on religious demographics in Amsterdam was recorded in 2015.
2015: Bicycle Ownership in Amsterdam
In 2015, Amsterdam households owned an average of 1.91 bicycles per household, highlighting the city's cycling culture.
2015: Religious Demographics
In 2015, Christians remained the largest religious group in Amsterdam (28%), followed by Muslims (7.1%), mostly Sunni.
2016: Rijksmuseum visitor numbers
The Rijksmuseum received 2.2 million visitors in 2016, solidifying its position as the most visited museum in Amsterdam.
September 2017: Kajsa Ollongren becomes Acting Mayor
Kajsa Ollongren became acting Mayor of Amsterdam in September 2017 due to Eberhard van der Laan's illness.
October 2017: Death of Eberhard van der Laan
Eberhard van der Laan, the former mayor of Amsterdam, passed away in October 2017.
October 2017: Eric van der Burg becomes Acting Mayor
Eric van der Burg succeeded Kajsa Ollongren as acting Mayor of Amsterdam in October 2017.
December 2017: Jozias van Aartsen becomes Acting Mayor
Jozias van Aartsen took over as acting Mayor of Amsterdam in December 2017.
2017: Hotel Occupancy Rate
Amsterdam's hotel room occupancy rate reached 85% in 2017, up from 78% in 2006.
2017: Rijksmuseum visitor numbers
In 2017, the Rijksmuseum welcomed 2.16 million visitors, maintaining its high popularity.
June 2018: Femke Halsema Appointed Mayor
Femke Halsema was appointed as the first female Mayor of Amsterdam in June 2018.
July 2018: Femke Halsema Begins Mayoral Term
Femke Halsema began her six-year term as Mayor of Amsterdam in July 2018.
2018: Amsterdam Arena renamed
In 2018, the Amsterdam Arena was renamed to the Johan Cruyff Arena.
2018: New Metro Line Completed
The new metro line in Amsterdam was completed in 2018.
2019: New Lock Opens in IJmuiden
A new lock opened in IJmuiden in 2019, expanding the Port of Amsterdam's capacity to 125 million tons.
2019: Amsterdam as a Tech Hub
In 2019, Amsterdam was ranked fourth globally as a top tech hub.
July 2021: Apology for Slave Trade
In July 2021, Amsterdam's mayor apologized for the city's involvement in the Atlantic slave trade.
2021: Amsterdam Population Statistics
In 2021, the municipality of Amsterdam had a population of about 870,000. The larger conurbation, including nearby municipalities, had over one million residents. The Greater Amsterdam area, encompassing 15 municipalities, had a population of 1,400,000. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area had an even larger population of 2.33 million.
2022: Amsterdam's High Rankings
In 2022, Amsterdam was ranked ninth-best city to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit and twelfth on quality of living for environment and infrastructure by Mercer.
May 2023: Campaign to Dissuade British Tourists and Public Smoking Ban
In May 2023, Amsterdam launched a campaign to discourage young British men from visiting as tourists and banned public weed smoking in the red light district to address unruly tourist behavior.
2023: Amsterdam Hosts World Gymnaestrada
Amsterdam is scheduled to host the World Gymnaestrada again in 2023.
2023: Ethnic Diversity in Amsterdam
In 2023, people of non-Western origin constituted approximately one-fifth of Amsterdam's population, and more than 30% of the city's children had at least one non-Dutch born parent. Autochthons were a minority in 40% of Amsterdam's neighborhoods.
2025: Parking Space Reduction Target
Amsterdam's local government aims to remove 10,000 parking spaces by 2025, promoting alternative transportation methods.
2040: Structural Vision Amsterdam 2040
The Structural Vision Amsterdam 2040 initiative, including urban renewal and expansion of the traditional city center with new construction on artificial islands in the IJburg neighborhood, is planned for completion by 2040.
