History of Casablanca in Timeline

Casablanca is the largest city and economic hub of Morocco, situated on the Atlantic coast. With an urban population of approximately 3.22 million and over 4.27 million in the Greater Casablanca area, it is the most populous city in the Maghreb region and ranks as the eighth-largest in the Arab world.

1906: French Colonialists Arrive

In 1906, Casablanca's population was around 12,000 within a few years of the French conquest and arrival of French colonialists.

1906: Treaty of Algeciras and Resistance

In 1906, resistance to the measures of the Treaty of Algeciras contributed to unrest that led to the attack on the locomotive in June 1907.

1906: Treaty of Algeciras Formalizes French Preeminence

In 1906, the Treaty of Algeciras formalized French preeminence in Morocco. This included French control of customs, the development of the port by La Compagnie Marocaine, and a French-and-Spanish-trained police force for the port.

June 1907: Attack on Locomotive

In June 1907, during the construction of the port's breakwater, tribesmen attacked a Decauville locomotive, killing 9 Compagnie Marocaine laborers.

August 1907: French Bombardment of Casablanca

In August 1907, the French bombarded Casablanca in response to the attack on the locomotive, causing severe damage and casualties, estimated between 600 and 3,000 Moroccans. Following the bombardment, European homes and the Jewish quarter were sacked and set ablaze.

1907: Bombardment of Casablanca

In 1907, Casablanca's mellah was ravaged in the bombardment of Casablanca, marking the beginning of the French invasion of Morocco from the West.

March 1912: French Control Formalized

In March 1912, French control of Casablanca was formalized with the Treaty of Fes, establishing the French Protectorat. Casablanca became a port of colonial extraction.

1912: Oued Bouskoura Covered

Until 1912, Oued Bouskoura, Casablanca's only watercourse, reached the Atlantic Ocean. Due to urbanization, most of its bed has been covered.

1919: École des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca founded

The École des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca was founded in 1919 by a French Orientalist painter named Édouard Brindeau de Jarny.

1921: Population Growth Through Development of Shanty Towns

By 1921, Casablanca's population rose to 110,000, largely through the development of shanty towns.

1937: Typhoid Fever Outbreak Exploitation

In 1937, a typhoid fever outbreak was exploited by colonial authorities to justify the appropriation of urban spaces in Casablanca.

1937: Wydad AC founded

Wydad AC was founded in 1937, and compete in Botola.

1938: Displacement of Moroccans Due to Typhoid Outbreak

In 1938, Moroccans were cleared out of informal housing in the center of Casablanca and displaced due to the typhoid fever outbreak, notably to Carrières Centrales.

November 1942: Operation Torch and Capture of Casablanca

In November 1942, Operation Torch, the British-American invasion of French North Africa, commenced. American forces captured Casablanca from Vichy control after France surrendered on November 11, 1942. The Naval Battle of Casablanca continued until American forces sank German submarine U-173 on November 16.

1942: Release of film Casablanca

The 1942 American film "Casablanca" is set in Casablanca and has had a lasting impact on the city's image.

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January 1943: Anfa Conference Held in Casablanca

In January 1943, the Anfa Conference (Casablanca Conference) was held, where Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt discussed the progress of World War II.

April 1947: Massacre of Moroccans by Senegalese Tirailleurs

On April 7, 1947, a massacre of working-class Moroccans was carried out by Senegalese Tirailleurs in the service of the French colonial army. This occurred just as Sultan Muhammed V was due to make a speech in Tangier appealing for independence.

1948: Moroccan Jews immigrated to the State of Israel

Approximately 28,000 Moroccan Jews immigrated to the State of Israel between 1948 and 1951, many through Casablanca.

1949: Raja CA founded

Raja CA was founded in 1949, and compete in Botola.

1951: Moroccan Jews immigrated to the State of Israel

Approximately 28,000 Moroccan Jews immigrated to the State of Israel between 1948 and 1951, many through Casablanca.

December 1952: Riots in Casablanca

In December 1952, from the 7th to the 8th, riots took place in Casablanca in response to the assassination of Tunisian labor unionist Farhat Hached.

December 1953: Bombing of Casablanca's Central Market

On December 25, 1953, Muhammad Zarqtuni orchestrated a bombing of Casablanca's Central Market in response to the forced exile of Sultan Muhammad V.

1956: Morocco Gained Independence

In 1956, Morocco gained independence from France, leading to urban transformations and socio-economic shifts, particularly in Hay Mohammadi.

1956: Jewish population registered in Casablanca

In 1956, there were 100,000 Jews registered in Casablanca.

1956: Decrease in European population

Since Moroccan independence in 1956, the European population in Casablanca has decreased substantially.

1957: Marcelin Flandrin died

In 1957, Marcelin Flandrin (1889–1957), a French military photographer, settled in Casablanca and recorded much of the early colonial period in Morocco with his photography. He died in 1957.

January 1961: Casablanca Conference of 1961

From January 4-7, 1961, Casablanca hosted progressive African leaders, including Gamal Abdel Nasser and Kwame Nkrumah, during the Casablanca Conference of 1961.

November 1961: Operation Yachin Begins

In November 1961, Casablanca became a major departure point for Jews leaving Morocco through Operation Yachin, a Mossad operation to secretly migrate Moroccan Jews to Israel.

1961: Staged the 1961 Pan Arab Games

Casablanca staged the 1961 Pan Arab Games.

1961: Operation Yachin migration operation began

In 1961, Casablanca became a departure point in Operation Yachin, the covert Mossad-organized migration operation that lasted from 1961 to 1964.

1964: Operation Yachin Concludes

In 1964, Operation Yachin, which began in November 1961, concluded. It was an operation conducted by Mossad to secretly migrate Moroccan Jews to Israel, with Casablanca as a major departure point.

1964: Operation Yachin migration operation ended

Operation Yachin, the covert Mossad-organized migration operation that Casablanca was a departure point for, lasted from 1961 to 1964.

March 1965: Student Protests and Riots

On March 22, 1965, student protests began in front of Lycée Mohammed V in Casablanca, demanding public higher education. The protests expanded to include other concerns and devolved into riots, which were violently repressed by security forces.

March 1965: King Hassan II Blames Teachers and Parents

On March 30, 1965, King Hassan II blamed teachers and parents for the student protests and riots, stating that intellectuals were a danger to the State.

1968: Attarazat Addahabia founded

In 1968, Abdelakabir Faradjallah founded Attarazat Addahabia, a Moroccan funk band, in Casablanca.

1974: Release of film About Some Meaningless Events

Mostafa Derkaoui's revolutionary independent film "About Some Meaningless Events" took place in Casablanca in 1974.

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June 1981: Casablanca Bread Riots

On June 6, 1981, the Casablanca Bread Riots were sparked by a sharp increase in the price of necessities. The government reported 66 deaths, while opposition leaders claimed the number was 637.

1983: Staged the 1983 Mediterranean Games

Casablanca staged the 1983 Mediterranean Games.

1986: Grand Prix Hassan II began

In 1986, the Grand Prix Hassan II, a professional men's tennis tournament of the ATP tour, first began in Casablanca. It is played on clay courts at Complexe Al Amal.

1988: Games during the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations

Casablanca held games during the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations.

1988: Hosted 1988 African Cup of Nations final

Casablanca hosted the 1988 African Cup of Nations final at the Stade Mohammed V.

1990: Thomas Muster won the Hassan II Grand-Prix

Thomas Muster won the Hassan II Grand-Prix in 1990.

1991: Release of film Love in Casablanca

In 1991, "Love in Casablanca", starring Abdelkarim Derqaoui and Muna Fettou, was released as one of the first Moroccan films to depict life in Casablanca with verisimilitude.

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1997: Hicham Arazi won the Hassan II Grand-Prix

Hicham Arazi won the Hassan II Grand-Prix in 1997.

1997: Establishment of Moroccan Jewish Museum

The Moroccan Jewish Museum was established in Casablanca in 1997.

March 2000: Women's Groups Organize Demonstrations

In March 2000, over 60 women's groups organized demonstrations in Casablanca proposing reforms to women's legal status, attracting 40,000 women who called for a ban on polygamy and the introduction of divorce law.

2000: Release of film Ali Zaoua

In 2000, the film "Ali Zaoua" of Nabil Ayouch, a French director of Moroccan heritage, dealt with street crime in Casablanca.

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2002: Younes El Aynaoui won the Hassan II Grand-Prix

Younes El Aynaoui won the Hassan II Grand-Prix in 2002.

May 2003: Suicide Bomb Attacks

On May 16, 2003, Casablanca was hit by multiple suicide bomb attacks, killing 33 civilians and injuring more than 100. The attacks were carried out by Moroccans and claimed by some to have been linked to al-Qaeda.

2004: Royal Air Maroc Head Office Relocation Announcement

In 2004, Royal Air Maroc announced its intention to move its head office from Casablanca-Anfa Airport to Nouaceur.

2004: New Mudawana Enacted

In early 2004, King Mohammed VI enacted a new mudawana (family law), meeting some of the demands of women's rights activists from the movement that started in March 2000.

2005: Casa-Oasis reopened

Casa-Oasis officially reopened in 2005 as a primary city rail station, after being fully redesigned and rebuilt.

2006: Casablanca-Anfa Airport closed to international civilian traffic

The Casablanca-Anfa Airport was largely closed to international civilian traffic in 2006.

2007: Series of Suicide Bombings

In early 2007, another series of suicide bombings struck Casablanca, highlighting challenges in addressing poverty and integrating disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Sidi Moumen Cultural Center was created as one initiative to improve conditions.

2008: Release of film Casanegra

In 2008, Nour-Eddine Lakhmari's "Casanegra" depicts the harsh realities of Casablanca's working classes.

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2008: Founded International Casablanca Marathon

The International Casablanca Marathon, a 26.2-mile road race, was founded in 2008.

2009: Agreement to Build Royal Air Maroc Head Office

In 2009, an agreement was signed to build the Royal Air Maroc head office in Nouaceur, but it was never implemented.

November 2010: Record Rainfall

On November 30, 2010, the highest amount of rainfall recorded in a single day in Casablanca was 178 mm (7.0 in).

2010: Stanislas Wawrinka won the Hassan II Grand-Prix

Stanislas Wawrinka won the Hassan II Grand-Prix in 2010.

2010: Morocco lost their bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

The initial idea of the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca was for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, for which Morocco lost their bid to South Africa.

2011: Demonstrations for Political Reform

As calls for reform spread through the Arab world in 2011, Moroccans joined in, but concessions by the ruler led to acceptance. However, in December, thousands of people demonstrated in Casablanca for more significant political reforms.

October 2012: Academy of Traditional Arts founded

The Academy of Traditional Arts, part of the Hassan II Mosque complex, was founded 31 October 2012.

2012: Release of film Horses of God

In 2012, the film "Horses of God" of Nabil Ayouch, a French director of Moroccan heritage, dealt with terrorism in Casablanca.

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2013: Connection from rail network to tram network

From 2013, Casa-Port station will provide a close connection from the rail network to the city's new tram network.

2014: City council voted to abandon the metro project

In 2014, the Casablanca city council voted to abandon the metro project due to high costs, and decided to continue expanding the already operating tram system instead.

2014: 2014 Moroccan census population

In 2014, the commune of Casablanca recorded a population of 3,359,818 in the Moroccan census, with about 98% living in urban areas.

2015: Morocco declined to host the 2015 African Nations Cup

Morocco was scheduled to host the 2015 African Nations Cup, but decided to decline due to Ebola fears, and the tournament was held in Equatorial Guinea.

2017: Release of film Razzia

In 2017, the film "Razzia" of Nabil Ayouch, a French director of Moroccan heritage, dealt with social issues in Casablanca.

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2018: Hosted 2018 CHAN Final

Casablanca hosted the 2018 CHAN Final at the Stade Mohammed V, which Morocco won.

2018: Estimated Jewish population in Casablanca

In 2018, it was estimated that there were only 2,500 Moroccan Jews living in Casablanca.

2018: Release of film Sofia

The events in Meryem Benm'Barek-Aloïsi's 2018 film "Sofia" revolve around an illegitimate pregnancy in Casablanca.

2019: Climate Change Impact Study

A 2019 paper in PLOS One estimated that under a moderate climate change scenario, Casablanca's climate in 2050 would resemble that of Tripoli, Libya.

December 2022: Casablanca Stock Exchange Ranking

As of December 2022, the Casablanca Stock Exchange was Africa's third-largest in terms of market capitalization.

2022: IPCC Report on Sea Level Rise Impact

According to the 2022 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Casablanca is one of the major African cities most severely affected by future sea level rise.

September 2023: Casablanca Ranks in Global Financial Centres Index

In September 2023, Casablanca ranked 54th globally in the Global Financial Centres Index, positioning it between Brussels and Rome.

September 2023: Casablanca's Financial Ranking

In September 2023, Casablanca was ranked 54th globally as a financial center in the Global Financial Centres Index.

November 2023: Casablanca Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network

On November 1, 2023, Casablanca, along with Ouarzazate, joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

2024: Casablanca Busway network

As of 2024, the Casablanca Busway network consists of two lines, BW1 and BW2.

2025: Morocco will host the 2025 edition of African Nations Cup

Morocco will host the 2025 edition of the African Nations Cup, after original host Guinea was stripped from hosting rights due to lack of readiness and preparation delays.

2025: Hassan II Stadium to be completed

The Hassan II Stadium is planned to be completed in Casablanca in 2025 and will be used mostly for football matches.

2026: Morocco lost their bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The idea of the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca was also for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Morocco lost their bid to Canada, Mexico and United States.

2028: Hassan II Stadium is expected to be complete

The Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca is expected to be complete by 2028.

2030: Potential host matches for 2030 FIFA World Cup

Casablanca could potentially host matches for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, including the final, at the Stade Mohammed V.

2030: Casablanca to host 2030 FIFA World Cup

The Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca will now host the 2030 FIFA World Cup which Morocco will co-host with two European nations Spain and Portugal.

2050: Projected Climate Resemblance to Tripoli

According to a 2019 study, by the year 2050, Casablanca's climate is projected to most closely resemble the current climate of Tripoli, Libya, due to climate change.

2050: Projected Damages from Sea Level Rise

The 2022 IPCC report estimates that by the year 2050, Casablanca could sustain significant cumulative damages due to sea level rise under various emission scenarios.