History of New London, Connecticut in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 14, 2026

New London, Connecticut, is a seaport city situated at the mouth of the Thames River as it flows into Long Island Sound. It functions as a port of entry on the northeastern U.S. coast and is located in New London County. The city is a component of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region.

1903: Hurricane landfall in Connecticut

In 1903, a hurricane made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1910: Fort Trumbull becomes Revenue Cutter Academy

In 1910, Fort Trumbull's defensive function was taken over by new forts and was given to the Revenue Cutter Service and became the Revenue Cutter Academy.

1915: Revenue Cutter Service merges into the United States Coast Guard

In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service was merged into the United States Coast Guard.

1919: Racial riots during the Red Summer

During the Red Summer of 1919, racial riots occurred between white and black Navy men stationed in New London and Groton.

1932: Academy Relocates

In 1932, the United States Coast Guard Academy relocated to its current site.

1938: Hurricane landfall in Connecticut

In 1938, a hurricane made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1944: Hurricane landfall in Connecticut

In 1944, a hurricane made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1950: Merchant Marine Officers Training School at Fort Trumbull

From 1950, the Merchant Marine Officers Training School was located at Fort Trumbull.

1951: Submarines stationed in New London

From 1951, submarines were stationed in New London.

1953: Death of Eugene O'Neill

In 1953, Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill died. He had previously lived in New London and written several plays in the city.

1954: Hurricane Carol landfall in Connecticut

In 1954, Hurricane Carol made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1960: Hurricane Donna landfall in Connecticut

In 1960, Hurricane Donna made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1960: Peace activists protest nuclear submarines

In the summer of 1960, peace activists gathered in New London to protest the all-nuclear submarines being based there.

1985: Hurricane Gloria landfall in Connecticut

In 1985, Hurricane Gloria made landfall along the Connecticut coast.

1990: Merger of the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory

In 1990, the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory was merged with the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

1991: Decommissioning of USS Fulton and disbandment of Submarine Squadron 10

In 1991, after 50 years of service, the USS Fulton was decommissioned, and Submarine Squadron 10 was disbanded.

1991: End of submarines being stationed in New London

In 1991, submarines stopped being stationed in New London.

1996: Closure of the New London facility

In 1996, the New London Naval Underwater Systems Center facility was closed.

2005: Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London

In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 in favor of the City of New London in the case Kelo v. City of New London, allowing the city to seize homes in Fort Trumbull using eminent domain.