A breath of fresh air for travelers, a lovely mix of the traditional and the modern for art lovers, a romantic getaway for lovers – these are some of the things that Amsterdam is associated with. As the capital of the Netherlands, the vibrant city we know today has a rich and interesting history starting from 1270. To have a deeper understanding of what made Amsterdam the energetic city that it is today, take a look at some of the key dates that showcase the city’s history at a glance:
1270 – Founding of Amsterdam.
1275 – Amsterdam was exempted from paying tolls on Dutch waterways, allowing it to focus on fishing and trade.
1300 – Amsterdam officially became a city.
1317 – The city became part of Holland.
1323 – Amsterdam obtained exclusive rights to import beer from Hamburg.
1368 – The city joined the Hanseatic League.
1400s – Philip of Burgundy governed the city.
1519 – The city came under the Spanish rule.
1543 – Charles V, the descendant of Philip of Burgundy, created the Netherlands’ political union, with Brussels as the capital.
1568 – Start of the war. Amsterdam remained loyal but Holland revolted against the religious persecution of Spain.
1578 – The city signed a peace treaty with the rest of The Netherlands
1580 – Spain conquered Portugal; the Dutch traveled further afield to search for trade and Amsterdam gained importance as a port.
1585 – The city experienced significant economic development.
1600s – The Dutch Golden Age: the city emerged as the continent’s leading trade center and art and culture flourished, with the side of Rembrandt and the likes.
1602 – Establishment of the Dutch East Indian Company.
1609 – The city’s three central canals were constructed.
1648 – Spain recognized Dutch independence.
1672 – The Netherlands was at war with France; England attacked the country.
1689 – William of Orange succeeded to the English throne as William III after the Glorious Revolution.
1795 – Holland was occupied by France and was renamed the Bavarian Republic.
1815 – Willem I of Orange accepted the throne; although the city remained the formal capital (the Government took residence in The Hague), its maritime and commercial glory declined.
1839 – Belgium became independent and The Netherlands was established within its frontiers.
Late 19th C. – Suez Canal opened and trade with Indonesia intensified. The first diamonds arrived in the city.
May 10, 1940 – Germany invaded and occupied the country.
May 5, 1945 – Germany capitulated, ending the WWII in Europe.
1948 – Queen Wilhelmina stepped down in favor of her daughter Juliana.
1949 – After the 4-year war, the country granted the Dutch East Indies independence; it officially became Indonesia.
1950s – 1960s - Amsterdam experienced economic boom.
1958 - The Netherlands became a member of the EEC, now known as the EU.
1980 – Queen Beatrix assumed the throne.
