History of Dakar Timeline

(1444 – Present)

Dakar, the capital of Senegal and one of West Africa's most important cities, has a history spanning over five centuries. Originally a small fishing village on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, it was colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later became a major French colonial port. Dakar grew into a key center of Atlantic trade, served as the capital of French West Africa from 1902 to 1960, and after Senegal's independence emerged as a leading hub of African culture, music, politics, and commerce. More Less

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Early Settlement & Exploration

Cap-Vert colonized by the Portuguese

1400

The Cap-Vert peninsula was colonized by the Portuguese in the early 15th century, marking the beginning of sustained European involvement in the region. The peninsula had been settled no later than the 15th century by the Lebu people, an aquacultural subgroup of the Wolof ethnic group.

Image source: Dakar

Portuguese reach the Bay of Dakar

1444

In 1444, Portuguese explorers reached the Bay of Dakar, becoming among the first Europeans to arrive on the Cap-Vert peninsula, opening a new chapter of contact between Europe and West Africa.

Peaceful contact opened by Diogo Gomes

1456

Peaceful contact was finally opened in 1456 by the Portuguese navigator Diogo Gomes, and the bay was subsequently referred to as the 'Angra de Bezeguiche', named after the local ruler.

Image source: Diogo Gomes

Bay of Bezeguiche serves the Portuguese India Armadas

1500

In the early 16th century, the bay of Bezeguiche served as a critical stop for the Portuguese India Armadas, where large fleets stopped on outward and return journeys to repair, collect fresh water, and trade for provisions with local people.

Amerigo Vespucci stops at Bezeguiche

1501

During one of the fleet stops in 1501, the Florentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci famously began constructing his 'New World' hypothesis about America while at the bay of Bezeguiche.

Image source: Amerigo Vespucci

Cayor breaks away from the Jolof Empire

1549

A town grew on the bay that was one of the major ports of Cayor, a constituent kingdom of the Jolof Empire which broke away in 1549, reshaping the regional political landscape.

Image source: Cayor

Lebou village of Ndakaaru established

1600

In the 17th century, a new Lebou village called Ndakaaru was established directly across from Gorée to service the European trading factory with food and drinking water.

Colonial Era

Portuguese found slave-trading settlement on Gorée

1536

The Portuguese founded a settlement on the island of Gorée (then known as Bezeguiche or Palma), and by 1536 they began using it as a base for the exportation of enslaved people.

Dutch capture Gorée from Portugal

1588

In 1588, Gorée was captured by the United Netherlands, which gave the island its present name (spelled Goeree, after Goeree-Overflakkee in the Netherlands).

English capture Gorée under Admiral Robert Holmes

Jan 23, 1664

After switching hands between the Portuguese and Dutch several times, Gorée fell to the English under Admiral Robert Holmes on January 23, 1664.

France takes over Gorée

1677

In 1677, France took over the island of Gorée, beginning a long period of French colonial presence in the region that would shape the future development of Dakar.

Image source: Gorée

House of Slaves built at Gorée

1776

The infamous 'House of Slaves' was built at Gorée in 1776, serving as a holding facility for enslaved Africans awaiting transport across the Atlantic. It is today a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade.

Image source: House of Slaves

France abolishes the slave trade

Feb 1794

The slave trade was abolished by revolutionary France in February 1794, though this prohibition would prove short-lived amid the political turmoil of the era.

Image source: Slavery in France

Marabouts of Cayor revolt against the Damel

1795

In 1795, the marabouts of Cayor revolted against the Damel, inspired by the Futanke revolution in Futa Toro, reflecting wider currents of religious and political upheaval in Senegambia.

Napoleon reinstates the slave trade

May 1802

Napoleon Bonaparte reinstated the slave trade in May 1802, reversing the earlier abolition and allowing the trafficking of enslaved people through Gorée to resume.

Image source: Napoleon

Traders establish factory at Rufisque

1840

Traders from Gorée decided to move to the mainland, and a 'factory' with warehouses was established at Rufisque in 1840, signaling a shift of commercial activity toward the mainland.

Image source: Rufisque

Slave trade abolished throughout French territories

1848

The slave trade continued at Gorée until 1848, when it was finally abolished throughout all French territories, ending the island's long role in the Atlantic slave trade.

French military post established at Ndakaaru

1857

In 1857, the French established a military post at Ndakaaru (which they called 'Dakar') and annexed the Lebou Republic, though its institutions continued to function nominally.

Image source: History of Senegal

Gorée recognized as a French commune

1872

In 1872, Gorée, including Dakar, was recognised as a French commune, making it one of the oldest Western-style municipalities in Africa, along with municipalities in Algeria and South Africa.

Dakar-Saint-Louis railway completed

1885

Port facilities were improved with jetties, a telegraph line ran along the coast to Saint-Louis, and the Dakar-Saint-Louis railway was completed in 1885, making the city an important base for the French conquest of the Western Sudan.

Image source: Rail transport in Senegal

Dakar split from Gorée as separate commune

Jun 17, 1887

On June 17, 1887, the commune of Dakar was created by the French colonial administration by detaching it from the commune of Gorée. The commune of Dakar has been in continuous existence since then, preserved even after independence.

Image source: Dakar region

Dakar becomes capital of French West Africa

1902

In 1902, Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa (Afrique Occidentale Française), cementing its status as a major city of the French colonial empire following the abolition of the slave trade and the annexation of the mainland.

Image source: French West Africa

Dakar-Niger railway completed

1923

A second major railroad, the Dakar-Niger, was built between 1906 and 1923, linking Dakar to Bamako and consolidating the city's position at the head of France's West African empire.

Image source: Dakar–Niger Railway

Blaise Diagne becomes first black mayor of Dakar

1924 - 1934

Blaise Diagne served as mayor of Dakar from 1924 to 1934, becoming the first black mayor of the city and a pioneering figure in French colonial politics representing Senegal's Four Communes.

Image source: Blaise Diagne International Airport

Urban Development & Culture

Mamelles Lighthouse built

1864

The Mamelles Lighthouse was built in 1864 atop one of the two hills of the Mamelles on the Cap-Vert peninsula, becoming an important navigational aid and landmark for shipping approaching Dakar.

Image source: Les Mamelles Lighthouse

Layene Brotherhood founded by Seydina Limamou Laye

1883

Dakar is known as the birthplace of the Layene Brotherhood, a Sufi tariqa founded by Seydina Mouhammadou Limamou Laye in 1883 at the commune of Yoff, which remains a distinctive feature of the city's Islamic heritage.

Palais Présidentiel constructed

1907

The Palais Présidentiel, the seat of government in Dakar, was constructed in 1907 during the height of French West Africa, and it remains the official residence and workplace of the President of Senegal.

Image source: Palace of the Republic, Dakar

University of Dakar established

1957

Cheikh Anta Diop University, also known as the University of Dakar, was established in 1957 and became a leading institution of higher learning in francophone West Africa, producing generations of scholars and leaders.

Image source: Cheikh Anta Diop

Grand Mosque of Dakar built

1964

The Grand Mosque of Dakar was built in 1964 at the heart of the Médina commune and stands as one of the most prominent landmarks of the city and a central site of Muslim worship in Senegal.

Image source: Grand Mosque of Dakar

Mosque of Divinity constructed in Ouakam

1973

The Mosque of Divinity was constructed in 1973 in the Ouakam district of Dakar, distinguished by its characteristic triangular windows and its striking seaside location.

Image source: Mosque of Divinity

Dakar Rally finishes in Dakar

1978 - 2007

Beginning in 1978 and until 2007, Dakar frequently served as the ending point of the famous Dakar Rally. The event was moved to South America afterward due to security concerns in Mauritania.

Image source: Dakar Rally

CETUD founded to coordinate Dakar transport

1997

The Conseil Exécutif des Transports Urbains Durables (CETUD) was founded in 1997 to coordinate transportation in the Dakar region, addressing the growing mobility challenges of the expanding metropolitan area.

Image source: Transport in Senegal

Dakar named Capital of Islamic Culture for Africa

2007

Dakar was selected as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the African Region for 2007 by ISESCO, honoring its rich Islamic heritage, including landmarks like the Layen Mausoleum entombing the founder of the Layene Sufi tariqa.

Image source: ICESCO

TER Dakar test run launched

Jan 14, 2019

The Regional Express Train (TER) of Dakar conducted its first test run on January 14, 2019, introducing modern commuter rail service to the metropolitan region, with the first passenger train running in December 2021.

Image source: Train Express Régional Dakar

World Wars

Battle of Dakar

Sep 23, 1940 - Sep 25, 1940

In 1940, General de Gaulle of the Free French Forces sought to make Dakar the base of his resistance operations. With Vichy naval forces present and stubborn defences ashore, the proposals were resisted, and the Battle of Dakar ensued off the coast, lasting three days from September 23–25, 1940, between the Vichy defenders and the attacking Free French and British navy.

Thiaroye camp mutiny

Nov 1944 - Dec 1, 1944

In November 1944, West African conscripts in the French army mutinied against poor conditions at the Thiaroye camp on the outskirts of Dakar. On December 1, 1944, French soldiers guarding the camp opened fire on the West African soldiers, in a tragic episode remembered as the Thiaroye massacre.

Image source: Thiaroye massacre

Independence & Modern Dakar

Dakar capital of the Mali Federation

1959 - 1960

From 1959 to 1960, Dakar served as the capital of the short-lived Mali Federation, a brief union of French Sudan and Senegal that collapsed shortly before full independence.

Image source: Mali Federation

Dakar becomes capital of independent Senegal

1960

In 1960, Dakar became the capital of the independent Republic of Senegal, and the commune of Dakar was preserved by the new state, continuing its administrative existence from the colonial era.

Image source: Senegal

Dakar divided into 19 communes d'arrondissement

Aug 30, 1996

Following a massive 1996 reform of Senegal's administrative divisions, and with its population approaching 1 million inhabitants deemed too large for central management, Dakar was divided into 19 communes d'arrondissement on August 30, 1996. The reforms also turned Senegal's régions into full-fledged political units with elected regional councils.

Climate risks identified for Dakar's future

2022

According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Dakar is among 12 major African cities most severely affected by future sea level rise, with estimated cumulative damages of US$65 billion under RCP 4.5 and US$86.5 billion under RCP 8.5 by 2050. A 2021 CETUD study also revealed annual economic losses of nearly CFA 900 billion from poor air quality, congestion, hazardous roads, and noise pollution.

Image source: Climate change in Africa

Dakar to host Summer Youth Olympics

2026

Dakar will host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics. Originally set for 2022, the games were postponed to 2026, and they will be the first Olympic event ever held in Africa, a historic milestone for the continent and for Senegal.

Image source: 2026 Summer Youth Olympics

Key Facts

Dakar's history dates back to at least 1444, when Portuguese explorers arrived on the Cap-Vert Peninsula and established trade contacts along the West African coast.
Gorée Island, located off the coast of Dakar, became a notorious slave trading post under French control during the 17th and 18th centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa (Afrique Occidentale Française) in 1902, making it the administrative heart of French colonial West Africa.
In 1960, Dakar became the capital of independent Senegal following the dissolution of the Mali Federation and the end of French colonial rule.
Today, Dakar is a major cultural and economic hub of West Africa, known for events such as the Dakar Biennale (Dak'Art), its vibrant music scene, and its role as the finish point of the historic Dakar Rally until 2007.

Source

This History of Dakar timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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