History of Beirut in Timeline

Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. With a population of approximately 2.4 million in Greater Beirut as of 2025, it houses nearly half of Lebanon's total population. This makes it a significant urban center in the Levant and Arab world. Located on a peninsula along Lebanon's Mediterranean coast, Beirut boasts a rich history spanning over 5,000 years, solidifying its status as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

1900: Discussion of Beirut I Site

In 1900, Godefroy Zumoffen discussed the Beirut I (Minet el-Hosn) site, which had been discovered by Lortet in 1894. The site was described as being on the beach near the Orient and Bassoul hotels on the Avenue des Français in central Beirut.

1907: Rail Link to Damascus and Aleppo

In 1907, French engineers established a rail link across Lebanon to Damascus and Aleppo, which resulted in much of the trade being carried by French ships to Marseille.

1911: Population of Beirut in Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1911, the Encyclopædia Britannica reported that Beirut's population consisted of 36,000 Muslims, 77,000 Christians, 2,500 Jews, 400 Druze, and 4,100 foreigners.

1932: Last Population Census in Lebanon

Since 1932, no official population census has been conducted in Lebanon. Estimates of Beirut's population vary widely, ranging from 938,940 to 2,200,000 within Greater Beirut.

1943: Lebanon Achieves Independence

In 1943, Lebanon achieved independence from the French Mandate, and Beirut became the capital city.

1948: Destruction of Beirut II Site

By 1948, the Beirut II (Umm el-Khatib) site, where P.E. Gigues had discovered a Copper Age flint industry, had been built on and destroyed.

April 1954: Opening of Beirut International Airport

Beirut International Airport was opened on April 23, 1954.

September 1956: Banking Secrecy Law

On 3 September 1956, the banking secrecy law was passed, subjecting all banks in Lebanon and foreign banks' branches to the "secret of the profession".

1957: Pan Arab Games hosted

In 1957, Beirut hosted the Pan Arab Games.

1959: Mediterranean Games hosted

In 1959, the Lebanese capital hosted the Mediterranean Games.

1960: Miss Europe Pageant

In 1960, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

1964: Miss Europe Pageant

In 1964, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

1964: Discovery of Beirut VII Sites

In 1964, Lorraine Copeland, Peter Wescombe, and Marina Hayek discovered two sites that compose Beirut VII, located at the Rivoli Cinema and Byblos Cinema sites near the Bourj in the Rue el Arz area. The sites were later examined by Diana Kirkbride and Roger Saidah.

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1970: L'Orient Le Jour

In 1970, L'Orient Le Jour, a French-language newspaper, was founded and headquartered in Beirut.

1974: Previous Record of Tourists in Beirut

The previous record number of tourists visiting Beirut was 1.4 million in 1974.

April 1975: Establishment of a Free Banking Zone

On 1 April 1975, decree No. 29 established a free banking zone, granting the Lebanese government the right to exempt non-residents' deposits and liabilities in foreign currency from income tax on interest earned, required reserves, and deposit guarantee premiums.

1975: Start of Lebanese Civil War

In 1975, the Lebanese Civil War began, significantly altering the political landscape of Beirut and Lebanon.

1976: Casualties in First Two Years of War

Approximately 60,000 people died in the first two years of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1976), and much of Beirut was devastated.

1978: Syrian Siege of Achrafiyeh

In 1978, the Syrian army sieged Achrafiyeh, the main Christian district of Beirut, relentlessly shelling the eastern quarter of the city. Christian militias ultimately defeated Syrian forces after a three-month campaign known as the Hundred Days' War.

1982: Lebanon War Siege of West Beirut

During the 1982 Lebanon War, most of West Beirut was under siege by Israeli troops.

1983: Bombing of French and US Barracks

In 1983, French and US barracks in Beirut were bombed, resulting in the deaths of 241 American servicemen, 58 French servicemen, six civilians, and the two suicide bombers.

1989: Fighting in East Beirut

Between 1989 and 1990 parts of East Beirut were destroyed in fighting between Lebanese army units loyal to General Aoun and Samir Geagea's Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces with the Syrian Armed Forces-backed Elias Hrawi and Salim Al-Huss Lebanese army forces.

1990: Fighting in East Beirut

1990: End of Lebanese Civil War

In 1990, the Lebanese Civil War ended, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Beirut and Lebanon.

1990: Start of Beirut's Rebuilding

Since the end of the war in 1990, the people of Lebanon have been rebuilding Beirut.

1991: Limited Archaeology Before Civil War End

Prior to the end of the civil war in 1991, little archaeology had been carried out in Beirut, where the present-day city overlies the ancient one.

1992: Criticism of Reconstruction Project

In 1992, Nabil Beyhum, a professor at the American University of Beirut, wrote in The Beirut Review about the destruction of the last Ottoman and medieval remains in Beirut due to the reconstruction project.

December 1993: Income Tax Exemptions on Bank Accounts

Article 16 of law No. 282, dated 30 December 1993, offered exemptions from income tax on interest and revenues earned on all types of accounts opened in Lebanese banks.

1993: Salvage Excavations Begin

In 1993, after the civil war, salvage excavations began in Beirut, yielding new insights into the layout and history of the city during the Hellenistic period.

1993: Salvage Excavations Reveal Roman Berytus

Since 1993, salvage excavations have provided new insights into the layout and history of Roman Berytus, including public architecture such as bath complexes, Colonnaded Streets, a circus, and theatre. Residential areas were excavated in the Garden of Forgiveness, Martyrs' Square, and the Beirut Souks.

August 1994: Income Tax Exemptions on Bank Accounts

Article 12 of decree No. 5451, dated 26 August 1994, offered exemptions from income tax on interest and revenues earned on all types of accounts opened in Lebanese banks.

1994: Establishment of Solidere

In 1994, the reconstruction of downtown Beirut was largely driven by Solidere, a development company established by Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

1997: Pan Arab Games hosted

In 1997, Beirut hosted the Pan Arab Games.

1997: Continued Criticism of Reconstruction Project

In 1997, UCLA professor Saree Makdisi criticized the unapproved demolitions of significant buildings and structures in Beirut during the 1980s and early 1990s, as written in the journal Critical Inquiry.

1999: FIBA Asia Champions Cup hosted

In 1999, Beirut hosted the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

1999: Miss Europe Pageant

In 1999, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

2000: FIBA Asia Champions Cup hosted

In 2000, Beirut hosted the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

2000: AFC Asian Cup hosted

In 2000, Beirut, along with Sidon and Tripoli, hosted the AFC Asian Cup.

2000: Opening of Museum of Lebanese Prehistory

In 2000, the Saint Joseph University opened the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory, the first prehistory museum in the Arabic Middle East.

2000: Planet Discovery children's museum

Since 2000, Planet Discovery is a children's science museum with interactive experiments, exhibitions, performances, workshops and awareness competitions.

2001: Miss Europe Pageant

In 2001, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

2002: Hosting of Francophonie and Arab League Summits

Beirut hosted the Francophonie and Arab League summits in 2002.

2002: Miss Europe Pageant

In 2002, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

2003: Publication of Beirut and its Seven Families

In 2003, Yussef Bin Ahmad Bin Ali Al Husseini published the book entitled "Beirut and its Seven Families."

April 2005: Cedar Revolution and Syrian Withdrawal

In April 2005, about one million people gathered for an opposition rally in Beirut, known as the Cedar Revolution. The last Syrian troops withdrew from Beirut on April 26, 2005.

2005: Airport Renamed After Rafic Hariri

In 2005, Beirut International Airport was renamed Rafic Hariri International Airport following his assassination.

July 2006: 2006 Lebanon War Bombardment and Blockade

During July 2006, the Israeli bombardment caused damage in many parts of Beirut, especially the southern suburbs. Israel implemented a naval and air blockade over Lebanon, bombing Beirut International Airport and the major Beirut-Damascus highway after the 'Operation Truthful Promise' carried out by Hezbollah.

2006: Beirut Regains Status

By the start of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Beirut had somewhat regained its status as a tourist, cultural, and intellectual center in the Middle East and as a center for commerce, fashion, and media.

2006: Lebanon War Damage

In 2006, Beirut was severely damaged during the Lebanon War.

2006: Beirut Ranked 9th Best City by Travel + Leisure

In Travel + Leisure magazine's World Best Awards 2006, Beirut was ranked the 9th best city in the world.

2007: Hosting of Prix Albert Londres Ceremony

In 2007, Beirut hosted the ceremony for the Prix Albert Londres, which rewards outstanding francophone journalists annually.

May 2008: Violent Clashes and Doha Agreement

In May 2008, violent clashes broke out in Beirut between government allies and opposition forces after the government decided to disband Hezbollah's communications network. The Lebanese Army took control of the city, and a national dialogue conference was held in Doha, resulting in the appointment of a new president and a new national government.

October 2008: Diplomatic Relations Established

On 15 October 2008, Lebanon and Syria established diplomatic relations.

2008: Beirut Listed as a Top Ten City by The Guardian

In 2008, The Guardian listed Beirut as one of its top ten cities in the world.

2009: Hosting of Jeux de la Francophonie and Proclamation as World Book Capital

In 2009, Beirut hosted the Jeux de la Francophonie and was proclaimed World Book Capital by UNESCO.

2009: Top place to visit

In 2009, Beirut was named the top place to visit by The New York Times and one of the ten liveliest cities in the world by Lonely Planet.

2009: Jeux de la Francophonie hosted

In 2009, Beirut was the host city for the 6th Annual Games of the Jeux de la Francophonie.

2009: Beirut Ranked Number One by The New York Times

In 2009, The New York Times ranked Beirut at number one on its "44 places to go" list.

2009: Growth of Medical Tourism in Lebanon

Since 2009, medical tourism in Lebanon has been growing by up to 30% a year, with efforts to attract more Southern Europeans, Asians, and North Americans.

2010: Most expensive city in the Middle East

According to a 2010 study by Mercer, Beirut was ranked as the 4th most expensive city in the Middle East. In a separate 2010 study by EuroCost International, Beirut was ranked first regionally and 10th internationally regarding rental markets for high-quality housing.

2010: Record Number of Tourists in Beirut

Approximately 3 million visitors visited Beirut in 2010.

2010: FIBA Asia Cup hosted

In 2010, Beirut hosted the FIBA Asia Cup.

2011: High Foreign Reserves in Beirut

In 2011, Beirut's foreign reserves reached nearly $32.5 billion, an all-time high. Analysts stated that the Central Bank could cover nearly 80% of the Lebanese currency in the market, enabling it to cope with unforeseen crises.

2011: Claimed Discovery of Port or Dry Dock

In 2011, a team of Lebanese archaeologists claimed to have discovered a port or dry dock about 1 kilometer west of the Phoenician port of Beirut.

2011: Beirut's Visitor Spending Levels in the Middle East and Africa

The 2011 MasterCard Index revealed that Beirut had the second-highest visitor spending levels in the Middle East and Africa, totaling $6.5 billion.

2011: Visitor spending levels

The 2011 MasterCard Index revealed that Beirut had the second-highest visitor spending levels in the Middle East and Africa, totaling $6.5 billion.

June 2012: Authorization to Destroy Archaeological Site

On June 26, 2012, Lebanese Minister of Culture Gaby Layoun authorized the destruction of archaeological site BEY194 by Venus Towers Real Estate Development Company for a $500 million construction project. This decision led to controversy and increased press coverage of Lebanese heritage.

October 2012: Car Bombing in Achrafiyeh

On 19 October 2012, a car bomb killed eight people in Beirut's Achrafiyeh neighborhood, including Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, chief of the Intelligence Bureau of the Internal Security Forces. 78 others were wounded, marking the largest attack in the capital since 2008.

2012: Tourist Statistics in Beirut

According to the 2012 tourist statistics, 34% of tourists in Beirut came from Arab League states, 33% from European countries, and 16% from the Americas.

2012: Banking System Strength in Beirut

At the end of 2012, Beirut's banking system had a balance sheet of $152 billion, nearly 3.5 times the GDP. Bank deposits increased by 8% to $125 billion, representing 82% of the sector's assets.

2012: FIBA Asia Champions Cup hosted

In 2012, Beirut hosted the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

2012: Beirut Chosen as Best City in the Middle East

In 2012, Beirut was chosen by Condé Nast Traveller as the best city in the Middle East, beating Tel Aviv and Dubai.

2012: Best city in the Middle East

In 2012, Beirut was chosen by Condé Nast Traveller as the best city in the Middle East.

2012: Clemenceau Medical Center Ranked Among World's Best

In 2012, Beirut-based Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC), affiliated with Johns Hopkins International, was ranked one of the world's top ten best hospitals for medical tourism.

2012: Purchase of Buses to Serve Beirut

In 2012, the ministry of transport and public works purchased 250 intra and inter-buses to serve regions outside the capital as well as congested Beirut, hoping to reduce private car use.

October 2013: Opening of Mim Museum

In October 2013, the Mim Museum, a private mineral museum, opened to the public, displaying approximately 2000 minerals from over 70 countries.

December 2013: Car Bombing in Central District

On 27 December 2013, a car bomb exploded in the Central District of Beirut, killing at least five people, including the former Lebanese ambassador to the U.S. Mohamad Chatah, and wounding 71 others.

2013: Top 20 best cities in the world

In 2013, Condé Nast Traveller ranked Beirut in the top 20 best cities in the world.

December 2014: New 7 Wonders of Cities

On December 2014, Beirut was selected to be among the New 7 Wonders of Cities, along with other cities.

July 2015: Beirut Garbage Crisis Begins

In July 2015, Beirut and its suburbs began to experience a massive garbage crisis when authorities shut down the main landfill site without providing alternative solutions. Garbage accumulated in the streets, leading to protests and police action. The crisis was blamed on the country's political situation.

November 2015: Beirut Bombings

On 12 November 2015, two suicide bombers detonated explosives outside a mosque and inside a bakery in Beirut, killing 43 people and injuring 200. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attacks.

March 2016: Government Attempts Temporary Solution to Garbage Crisis

In March 2016, the government introduced a temporary solution to the garbage crisis by establishing two new landfills. Simultaneously, several municipalities began recycling and managing waste more efficiently, building waste-management facilities independently of the central government.

2016: Miss Europe Pageant

In 2016, Beirut hosted the Miss Europe pageant.

2016: Best international city for food

In 2016, Yahoo listed Beirut as the best international city for food. In the same year, Travel and Leisure ranked Beirut in the top 15 of the world's best cities.

2017: FIBA Asia Cup hosted

In 2017, Beirut hosted the FIBA Asia Cup.

2017: Introduction of Bike Sharing Service

In 2017, Beirut introduced a bike sharing service in certain areas of the city.

October 2019: Tourism sector badly affected

Due to anti-government protests as of October 2019, followed by a dire economic situation and travel bans due to the coronavirus outbreak, the tourism sector was badly affected, resulting in a decrease in the number of tourists.

2019: Must-visit city for the year

In 2019, Beirut was voted the must-visit city for the year by World Tourists.

August 2020: Port of Beirut explosion

On 4 August 2020, a massive explosion in the Port of Beirut caused at least 203 deaths, over 6,500 injuries, and left 300,000 people homeless. The explosion was believed to be caused by government-confiscated and stored ammonium nitrate. Protests against the government's alleged negligence followed, leading to the Prime Minister's resignation on 10 August 2020.

September 2020: Fire in Beirut Port warehouse

On 10 September 2020, weeks after the Beirut explosion, a large fire broke out in an oil and tyre warehouse in the port's duty-free zone.

2020: Port of Beirut Explosion

In 2020, Beirut was severely damaged by a massive explosion in the Port of Beirut.

2020: Damage to Gemmayzeh by Beirut Explosion

In 2020, Gemmayzeh, Beirut's artistic bohemian quarter, suffered the most damage in the Beirut explosion.

2022: France donates buses

In 2022, France donated 50 buses that were used by Ahdab Commuting and Trading Company (ACTC) and the Ministry of Transport when they reintroduced a public bus system with a network of lanes, in 2024.

2024: Reintroduction of Public Bus System

In 2024, Ahdab Commuting and Trading Company (ACTC) and the Ministry of Transport reintroduced a public bus system with a network of lanes, utilizing 50 buses donated by France in 2022. The network connects most areas of Beirut and major cities.

2025: Greater Beirut Population

In 2025, Greater Beirut had a population of 2.4 million, which is just under half of Lebanon's population. This made it the twelfth-largest city in the Levant region and the sixteenth-largest in the Arab world.