1488 - Bartolomeu Dias reaches Mosselbay.
1497 - Vasco de Gama rounds the Cape on the way to India
1652 - Jan van Riebeeck (sailing from Holland) arrives in Table Bay on 6 April 1652 with 90 men.
1657 - The first 9 Free Citizens at the Cape were given land near Rondebosch.
1658 - A Portuguese slave vessel that had captured 170 slaves, arrives at the Cape.
1660 - Almond hedges planted to protect Dutch settlement from the Khoi.
1662 - Jan van Riebeeck leaves the Cape for Malacca in May and on 9 May 1662 Zacharias Wagenaar is appointed Governor of the Cape.
1665 - The first Duch Reformed Church congregation founded at the Cape. The first minister was Rev. J van Arkel.
1666 - The foundation stone of the Castle was laid, it was built to replace the existing Fort at Cape.
1679 - Simon van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape. That same year the Drostdy in Stellenbosch was founded and the town of Stellenbosch established.
The Castle was also completed that year.
1688 - The first 22 French Hugenots arrived at the Cape. They were given land near Franschoek.
1699 - Willem Adriaan van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape on 11 February.
1713 - Smallpox epidemic in the Cape
1722 - Groot Constantia built.
1746 - Swellendam founded (third Drostdy in the Cape).
1778 - The Fish River becomes the Eastern boundary of the Cape Colony.
1779 - The First Frontier War broke out between the eastward advancing European cattle farmers and the local Xhosa tribe.
1785 - Cornelis Jacob van der Graaff was pointed Governor of the Cape on 14 February.
1786 - The proclamiton of Graaff-Reinet on 19 July. Two farms on the Sundays River were brought from Dirk Coetzee. This was the site for the town, selected due to its abundant water-supply.
1789 - The first Merino sheep were imported from Holland. Spain gave 4 ewes and 2 rams to Prince Willem of Orange. He sent the sheep to his friend Robert Gordon in South Africa. This was the beginning of the merino sheep industry in South Africa and Australia. After Gordon committed suicide in 1795 the sheep (the orginal 6 were sent back Europe) were auctioned. 20 of the sheep were bought by a ship bound for Australia.
1792 - Dutch Reformed congregation founded in Graaff-Reinet
1793 - Honoratus Maynier became the landdrost of Graaff-Reinet. He tried to restore peace between the the European farmers and Xhosa people after the end of the Second Frontier war that broke out in 1789.
1795 - Declaration of the Independent Republic of Graaff-Reinet. However this situation only lasted a 18 months and came to an end with the first proclamation of the Cape Colony by Britain on behalf of the Prince of Orange.
1798 - A mosque built in Dorp Street, Cape Town, by Tuan Guru. This was the first mosque in Southern Africa.
1799 - On 29 June 1799 two missionaries from the London Mission Society arrives in Graaff-Reinet.
Fort Frederick built in Algoa Bay by British Soldiers. This was the first stone structure in the Eastern Cape and also the first British building south of the equator.
1800 - First Printing Press in Cape Town and the Government Gazette was launched.
1801 - Dr Van der Kemp (from the London Missionary Society) and other missionaries are attacked by Boers from the Graaff-Reinet region. The Boers were against the missionaries educating and converting the local Hottentots.
The Parsonage Street Congregational Mission Church in Graaff-Reinet began the first private school for coloured children.
1803 - The Batavian Republic (Netherland) take over the Cape from Britain.
1804 - Uitenhage founded - the fifth Drostdy in the Cape Colony.
1806 - The Drostdy building was completed in Graaff-Reinet.
1807 - Britain ban Slave Trade. Importation of slaves in the Cape Colony ends.
1813 - Lord Charles Henry Somerset was appointed Governor of the Cape.
1814 - The Cape Colony formally ceded to Britain.
1815 - Andries Stockenström was appointed as Landdrost of Graaff-Reinet on 12 Mei after his father was killed during the fourth Frontier War. He was 20 years old.
1819 - Captain Charles Lennox Stretch came to the Graaff-Reinet colony. Stretch Court behind the Drostdy Hotel is named after him.
1820 - 5000 British Settlers arrive in Port Elizabeth. The town was named by Sir Rufane Donkin in rememberance of his wife, Elizabeth Francis Donkin, who had died in India.
1822 - Reverend Andrew Murray arrives in Graaff-Reinet.
1825 - Birth of Paul Kruger on 10 October. He became the president of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek.
The first steam ship arrives in Cape Town.
1830 - Caption Lennox Stretch prepared a diagram on 17 November 1830 of an unusual building that is windowless. This mini stone fortress was erected the following year on the top of Magazine Hill in Graaff-Reinet. In those days gunpowder was essential and the building had to be a safe distance from the town. It still stands today.
1834 - Slaves were freed on 1 December. However they had to still work an apprenticed time of 4 years.
The beginning of the Great Trek.
1836 - The Great Trek has reached the Orange Free State & Transvaal areas. The first Voortrekker Government established under Gerrit Maritz.
1837 - Reverend Andrew Murray became the moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.
Piet Retief publishes his Manifesto and his Trek leaves the from Port Elizabeth on 28 March 1837.
1838 - Piet Retief and his men murdered by Dingaan's soldiers in Natal.
1838 - Battle of Bloodriver fought - Voortrekkers against the Zulus.
1841 - Missionary David Livingstone arrives in South Africa.
1842 - Dick King's heroic 600-mile (960km) ride from Durban to Grahamstown. He crossed 122 rivers in 10 days to warn the British of a Voortrekker invasion. War broke out and the result was the annexation of Natal as a British Colony.
1845 - Reverand William Long establishes the St. James Church in Graaff-Reinet.
1846 - Bloemfontein founded.
1847 - The Graaff-Reinet Public Library is opened on 4 August 1847.
1851 - The first newspaper in Graaff-Reinet, the Graaff-Reinet Courant was published on 30 May 1851.
In Natal the first sugar was produced from cane.
1852 - The Transvaal Republic was established.
1854 - The Republic of the Orange Free State came into being after the signing of the Bloemfontein Convention. The Freestate Vierkleur (Four colour flag) was hoisted for the first time in Bloemfontein.
The first elected parliament in Cape Town. Adult males could vote, regardless of race, however to be entitled to vote the person should occupy property worth 25 pounds or more.
1855 - Plots outside Graaff-Reinet were sold which result in the formation of the village of Adendorp.
Captain Stretch purchased land, which he subdivided into plots. Many of these plots were transferred to coloured labourers and emanicpated slaves.
Pretoria was founded in 1855.
1856 - The first group of Dutch child servants arrived in Graaff-Reinet in December. There was an intense labour shortage and Myndeert Noome, a Dutch teacher, imported boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 14 from Holland.
Nongqause, a Xhosa girl of 14 years, stared into a Rock pool at Gxara River near Grahamstown and prophesised that deliverance from the settlers who had taken Xhosa land near the Kei River would be obtained by the Xhosa's killing their cattle and burning their crops. She belonged to a tribe ruled by an independent Xhosa paramount, Sarhili. She stated that the day of deliverance would be 11 August 1856. When the date arrived and nothing happened she blamed it on the refusal of some Xhosas not to kill their cattle. She urged them to comply and this self-destruction resutled in 25 000 Xhosas dying of starvation. She was banished to Robben Island and died in 1898. She was buried on the farm Glen Shaw, near Grahamstown.
1857 - First Mail contract with the Union Steamship Company and the start of regular mail service between Britain and South Africa.
The Induction of MW Pretorius, the first president of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek on 6 January 1857 and the Transvaal Vierkleur (four colour flag) hoisted for the first time.
1859 - The first railway in South Africa commenced in Cape Town.
1860 - The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser was published for the first time. This newspaper is still in operation today.
The first Indians arrived in Natal to work on the sugar cane plantations.
The first telegraph service in South Africa became operational between Cape Town and Simonstown.
Start of the penny post in South Africa
Work began on the Dock in Table Bay
Voortrekker Republics north of the Vaalriver unit to form the South African Republic, Pretoria was chosen as capital.
1861 - The Graaff-Reinet College was opened.
1862 - The first railway was opened in the Cape Colony.
1866 - Gold was discovered in the Hinterland
1867 - A 25 carat diamond found near Hopetown.
1869 - The star of South Africa diamond discovered.
1870 - The famous Black Acorn grapevine was planted by Reverand Charles Murray at the Dutch Reformed Parsonage in Graaff-Reinet. It is still on display at the Reinet Museum. From the grapes of this vine, Withond , is brewed once a year.
Cape Town Docks were officially opened.
1871 - The discovery of diamonds on the farm Vooruitzicht, later to become the Diamond Rush and the area renamed to Kimberley. The migrant labour force to work on the mines were needed, the beginning of the migrant labour system that South Africa still suffers from today.
Gold was discovered in Eastern Transvaal. Origins of Pelgrimsrust.
The British annexed the diamond fields of Kimberley.
1872 - His excellence, Governer Sir Henry Barkly and his wife visisted Graaff-Reinet on 31 January 1872.
1873 - The Standard Bank building in Graaff-Reinet was erected. This building has been restored many times and currently is utilized by ABSA Bank.
The Midland Farmers Association in Graaff-Reinet was established and they instigated the yearly argricultural show.
Dr Arenhold inaugurated Graaff-Reinet's first pipe-organ on Sunday, 5 October 1973. The St. James Church enlarged the pipe organ in 1883 and it remained in operation until 1945.
1875 - The first telegram facility was brought to Graaff-Reinet.
1877 - The opening of the Middellandse Hospital in Graaff-Reinet on 25 Janaury 1877.
Paul Kruger leads a deputation to Britain on 10 May 1877 to demand the Freedom of the ZAR (South African Republic) after it had been annexed by Shepstone a month earlier.
1878 - The little village of Nieu-Bethesda was founded in the Sneeuberg by the Dutch Reformed Church.
The firm Gleghorn & Harris opens their first branch in South Africa in Graaff-Reinet. The building has been restored and houses Shoprite Checkers today.
1879 - The railway line from Port Elizabeth was opened in Graaff-Reinet. The first train arrived on Monday afternoon, 25 August 1879, at 17:00 with 200 passengers.
1880 - The first Municipal election in Graaff-Reinet occurred on 8 December 1880.
A second church was built by the London Missionary Society in Middle Street, Graaff-Rienet. It was nicknamed "Klein Londen" and was built to accommodate the growing number of South Sotho speaking people in the Graaff-Reinet region.
The formation of the De Beers Company in Kimberley.
1881 - The British recognize the South African Republic (ZAR).
The induction of Paul Kruger as the president of the ZAR.
1885 - The railway line from Cape Town reaches Kimberley.
1886 - The cornerstone was laid for the fourth Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff-Reinet.
Discovery of gold bearing rock at Ferreira's camp, later to become Johannesburg.
1887 - The fourth Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff-Reinet was opened on 11 September. 2,000 people attended the service at 10:30.
1888 - Cecil John Rhodes amalgamated the Kimberley mining companies as De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.
1892 - The Railway line to Johannesburg completed with connections from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London.
1894 - The Railway line between Lourenco Marques (now Maputo in Mosambique) and Johannesburg opened.
1899 - Anglo-Boer War starts. Over 25 000 (mostly women and children) die in the world's first concentration camps erected by the British.
1900 - The first Boer Prisoners of War arrive in St. Helena and by July that year the British started implementing the Scorched Earth (Burning of farms) policy that had been authorised by the British Government. Public outcry occured in Britain after photographs taken by Emily Hobhouse in South Africa was published.
1902 - More than 200 teachers arrived from England to teach in the British concentration camps.
1902 - Commando Leader Gideon Scheepers was executed on 15:30 on the Murraysburg road, 3km outside of Graaff-Reinet.
The cornerstone was laid for the Graaff-Reinet Town Hall on 26 June 1902. However there was decided to move it to another premises at a late date.
1904 - Reverand Charles Murray died. He was the son of Andrew Murray.
Chinese labourers recruited for the Transvaal gold mines.
1906 - The new buildings to house the Graaff-Reinet College was completed. These buildings were later used by the Teachers' Training College and today houses the Police Academy in Graaff-Reinet.
1908 - A Boer War memorial was erected in Graaff-Reinet to commemorate the eight Boers who were executed in Graaff-Reinet. The authorities refused to allow the erection of the memorial on public property, even the Dutch Reformed Church was set against it, knowing that it would hinder reconciliation amongst the Graaff-Reinet community. It was finally erected on private land donated by Jurie Laubscher. The memorial stands on the corner of Somerset & Donkin Street. On 1 December 1908 a meeting was held to commemorate them and the next day the statue was unveiled.
1910 - The declaration of the Union of South Africa and Louis Botha is inducted as the first Prime Minister of South Africa.
1911 - The Victoria Town Hall in Graaff-Reinet was opened by Henry Burton, the minister of Native Affairs, on 5 September 1911.
The first census was taken of the South African population.
1913 - The Natives Land Act impleted that restricted black ownership of land.
1914 - Advocate CJ Langenhoven got Afrikaans recognized as the medium of instruction up to Standard IV (grade 6) for all Afrikaans children in the Cape.
The first doll was made in Graaff-Reinet by Mr & Mrs Jurie Laubsher and their daughter Annie. As the demand for these dolls increased more and more labourers were hired.
1916 - Anton Rupert was born on 4 October 1916 in Graaff-Reinet.
1917 - The Teachers' Training College was established in Graaff-Reinet. It was the only college available for male English teachers.
1918 - A War memorial was erected on Church Square in Graaff-Reinet. It is an angel that stands guard over the names of the men from Graaff-Reinet that died during WWI.
Governor-general Lord Buxton and Lady Buxton visited Graaff-Reinet.
1919 - Sir Frederick de Waal, administrator of the Cape, laid the foundation-stone of the new hospital on 30 May 1919 in Graaff-Reinet.
1920 - Union High School in Graaff-Reinet commenced on 2 February 1920 as an independent English Church School under the leadership of Reverend J Whaits.
1921 - Economic Depression, Diamond mines close down in Kimberley.
1922 - Hoër Volkskool was established in Graaff-Reinet. This was the first Afrikaans-medium school in the Cape.
1924 - Robert Mangaliso was born in Graaff-Reinet. He was the founder of the Pan African Congress in South Africa.
1925 - The Van Rynevelds Dam was completed and Graaff-Reinet got tapped water.
1926 - The opening of the New Dutch Reformed Church on the corner of Bourke and Caledon Street in Graaff-Reinet.
1930 - White women receive the vote.
1932 - Airmail service between South Africa and Britian started in January 1932.
1933 - The first Afrikaans Bible was published.
1934 - Prince George visited Graaff-Reinet
1936 - The South African Broadcasting Corporation was established.
1939 - Mr Bernie Pitman commenced a hostel at 83 Somerset Street, Graaff-Reinet for boys at Union High School. Today this colonial building, known as Karoopark Guest House, offers B&B or self-catering accommodation.
1942 - At the fall of Tobruk in June 1924, the men from Graaff-Reinet, that fought along with the Middellandse Regiment (DMR) in North Africa, were among the garrison of more than 30,000 men, who were forced to capitulate to General Rommel's men.
1947 - The Royal Family visited Graaff-Reinet.
1948 - The National Party was elected to Government in South Africa. Known as the beginning of the Apartheid era. Danial Francois Malan was inducted as Prime Minister.
1949 - Hoër Volkskool burnt down in Graaff-Reinet. The school decided to re-built a primary school on the premises and the High School moved to Plascet Street.
Consecration of the Voortrekker Monument in Johannesburg.
1960 - Sharpville Massacre, police opened fire on a crowd protesting on 21 March 1960.
1961 - The Republic of South Africa was established.
1965 - Dr Rupert arranged for the Historical Homes of South Africa to buy the dilapidated church in Church Street, Graaff-Rienet. They restored it and today it houses the Hester Rupert Art Gallery.
1966 - The Hester Rupert Art Gallery in Graaff-Reinet is officially opened by ex State President CR Swart.
The Historical Homes of South Africa acquired the properties that now form Stretch's Court in Graaff-Reinet.
The home of the Te Water-family on the corner of Church & Somerset Street in Graaff-Reinet, is opened as the Te-Water Art Gallery.
1969 - Dr Rupert purchased and restored the old Coloured Mission Church, nicknamed "Groot London" in Pasonage Street, Graaff-Reinet. It is known today as the John Rupert Little Theatre.
Louis Armstrong becomes the first man to step on the moon.
1970 - Stretch's Court, Graaff-Reinet is fully restored. Today these houses are utilized by the Drostdy Hotel for accommodation.
1971 - Dr Rupert became the honoury citizen of Graaff-Reinet. This honour was bestowes on him for his continued effort to help with the preservation of Graaff-Reinet for future generations.
1975 - The Historical Homes and Oude Meester group purchased the Drostdy property in Graaff-Reinet and restored it to its former glory.
1978 - The old Residency was annexed to the Reinet House museum in Graaff-Reinet.
1979 - The opening of the Old Residency Museum in Graaff-Reinet.
1980 - The John Rupert Theatre in Graaff-Reinet was inaugurated with a performance by Patrick Mynhardt.
1981 - Dr Rupert calls on the local town council to assist with the restoration of Graaff-Reinet.
1982 - Graaff-Reinet's modern town library is opened on the 1 December 1982 on the premise of the old government school in Pasonage Street.
On the same date the old public library in Church Street, Graaff-Reinet is re-opened as the Old Library Museum.
1984 - Coloured and Asian citizens of South Africa given the vote.
1994 - The first Democratic Elections were held in South Africa and the previous homelands re-incorporated into South Africa.
2001 - Govan Mbeki, father of Thabo Mbeki, passed away on 30 August 2001.
Chris Barnard (the noted heart specialist who preformed the world's first open-heart transplant) passed away on 2 September 2001.
2002 - The new airport in Graaff-Reinet is officially opened in October. It was built thanks to Dr. Rupert.
2005 - Karoo Nature Reserve outside Graaff-Reinet was declared the Camdeboo National Park. It's the 22nd National Park in South Africa.
2005 - Dr. Anton Rupert's wife, Huberte Rupert passed away on 28 October 2005.
2006 - Dr. Anton Rupert passed away on 18 January 2006.
A tribute to Dr. Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte Rupert was held in the Dutch Reformed Church on the 10th of February 2006.
Some information obtrained from the Lantern July 1986
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1497 - Vasco de Gama rounds the Cape on the way to India
1652 - Jan van Riebeeck (sailing from Holland) arrives in Table Bay on 6 April 1652 with 90 men.
1657 - The first 9 Free Citizens at the Cape were given land near Rondebosch.
1658 - A Portuguese slave vessel that had captured 170 slaves, arrives at the Cape.
1660 - Almond hedges planted to protect Dutch settlement from the Khoi.
1662 - Jan van Riebeeck leaves the Cape for Malacca in May and on 9 May 1662 Zacharias Wagenaar is appointed Governor of the Cape.
1665 - The first Duch Reformed Church congregation founded at the Cape. The first minister was Rev. J van Arkel.
1666 - The foundation stone of the Castle was laid, it was built to replace the existing Fort at Cape.
1679 - Simon van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape. That same year the Drostdy in Stellenbosch was founded and the town of Stellenbosch established.
The Castle was also completed that year.
1688 - The first 22 French Hugenots arrived at the Cape. They were given land near Franschoek.
1699 - Willem Adriaan van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape on 11 February.
1713 - Smallpox epidemic in the Cape
1722 - Groot Constantia built.
1746 - Swellendam founded (third Drostdy in the Cape).
1778 - The Fish River becomes the Eastern boundary of the Cape Colony.
1779 - The First Frontier War broke out between the eastward advancing European cattle farmers and the local Xhosa tribe.
1785 - Cornelis Jacob van der Graaff was pointed Governor of the Cape on 14 February.
1786 - The proclamiton of Graaff-Reinet on 19 July. Two farms on the Sundays River were brought from Dirk Coetzee. This was the site for the town, selected due to its abundant water-supply.
1789 - The first Merino sheep were imported from Holland. Spain gave 4 ewes and 2 rams to Prince Willem of Orange. He sent the sheep to his friend Robert Gordon in South Africa. This was the beginning of the merino sheep industry in South Africa and Australia. After Gordon committed suicide in 1795 the sheep (the orginal 6 were sent back Europe) were auctioned. 20 of the sheep were bought by a ship bound for Australia.
1792 - Dutch Reformed congregation founded in Graaff-Reinet
1793 - Honoratus Maynier became the landdrost of Graaff-Reinet. He tried to restore peace between the the European farmers and Xhosa people after the end of the Second Frontier war that broke out in 1789.
1795 - Declaration of the Independent Republic of Graaff-Reinet. However this situation only lasted a 18 months and came to an end with the first proclamation of the Cape Colony by Britain on behalf of the Prince of Orange.
1798 - A mosque built in Dorp Street, Cape Town, by Tuan Guru. This was the first mosque in Southern Africa.
1799 - On 29 June 1799 two missionaries from the London Mission Society arrives in Graaff-Reinet.
Fort Frederick built in Algoa Bay by British Soldiers. This was the first stone structure in the Eastern Cape and also the first British building south of the equator.
1800 - First Printing Press in Cape Town and the Government Gazette was launched.
1801 - Dr Van der Kemp (from the London Missionary Society) and other missionaries are attacked by Boers from the Graaff-Reinet region. The Boers were against the missionaries educating and converting the local Hottentots.
The Parsonage Street Congregational Mission Church in Graaff-Reinet began the first private school for coloured children.
1803 - The Batavian Republic (Netherland) take over the Cape from Britain.
1804 - Uitenhage founded - the fifth Drostdy in the Cape Colony.
1806 - The Drostdy building was completed in Graaff-Reinet.
1807 - Britain ban Slave Trade. Importation of slaves in the Cape Colony ends.
1813 - Lord Charles Henry Somerset was appointed Governor of the Cape.
1814 - The Cape Colony formally ceded to Britain.
1815 - Andries Stockenström was appointed as Landdrost of Graaff-Reinet on 12 Mei after his father was killed during the fourth Frontier War. He was 20 years old.
1819 - Captain Charles Lennox Stretch came to the Graaff-Reinet colony. Stretch Court behind the Drostdy Hotel is named after him.
1820 - 5000 British Settlers arrive in Port Elizabeth. The town was named by Sir Rufane Donkin in rememberance of his wife, Elizabeth Francis Donkin, who had died in India.
1822 - Reverend Andrew Murray arrives in Graaff-Reinet.
1825 - Birth of Paul Kruger on 10 October. He became the president of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek.
The first steam ship arrives in Cape Town.
1830 - Caption Lennox Stretch prepared a diagram on 17 November 1830 of an unusual building that is windowless. This mini stone fortress was erected the following year on the top of Magazine Hill in Graaff-Reinet. In those days gunpowder was essential and the building had to be a safe distance from the town. It still stands today.
1834 - Slaves were freed on 1 December. However they had to still work an apprenticed time of 4 years.
The beginning of the Great Trek.
1836 - The Great Trek has reached the Orange Free State & Transvaal areas. The first Voortrekker Government established under Gerrit Maritz.
1837 - Reverend Andrew Murray became the moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.
Piet Retief publishes his Manifesto and his Trek leaves the from Port Elizabeth on 28 March 1837.
1838 - Piet Retief and his men murdered by Dingaan's soldiers in Natal.
1838 - Battle of Bloodriver fought - Voortrekkers against the Zulus.
1841 - Missionary David Livingstone arrives in South Africa.
1842 - Dick King's heroic 600-mile (960km) ride from Durban to Grahamstown. He crossed 122 rivers in 10 days to warn the British of a Voortrekker invasion. War broke out and the result was the annexation of Natal as a British Colony.
1845 - Reverand William Long establishes the St. James Church in Graaff-Reinet.
1846 - Bloemfontein founded.
1847 - The Graaff-Reinet Public Library is opened on 4 August 1847.
1851 - The first newspaper in Graaff-Reinet, the Graaff-Reinet Courant was published on 30 May 1851.
In Natal the first sugar was produced from cane.
1852 - The Transvaal Republic was established.
1854 - The Republic of the Orange Free State came into being after the signing of the Bloemfontein Convention. The Freestate Vierkleur (Four colour flag) was hoisted for the first time in Bloemfontein.
The first elected parliament in Cape Town. Adult males could vote, regardless of race, however to be entitled to vote the person should occupy property worth 25 pounds or more.
1855 - Plots outside Graaff-Reinet were sold which result in the formation of the village of Adendorp.
Captain Stretch purchased land, which he subdivided into plots. Many of these plots were transferred to coloured labourers and emanicpated slaves.
Pretoria was founded in 1855.
1856 - The first group of Dutch child servants arrived in Graaff-Reinet in December. There was an intense labour shortage and Myndeert Noome, a Dutch teacher, imported boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 14 from Holland.
Nongqause, a Xhosa girl of 14 years, stared into a Rock pool at Gxara River near Grahamstown and prophesised that deliverance from the settlers who had taken Xhosa land near the Kei River would be obtained by the Xhosa's killing their cattle and burning their crops. She belonged to a tribe ruled by an independent Xhosa paramount, Sarhili. She stated that the day of deliverance would be 11 August 1856. When the date arrived and nothing happened she blamed it on the refusal of some Xhosas not to kill their cattle. She urged them to comply and this self-destruction resutled in 25 000 Xhosas dying of starvation. She was banished to Robben Island and died in 1898. She was buried on the farm Glen Shaw, near Grahamstown.
1857 - First Mail contract with the Union Steamship Company and the start of regular mail service between Britain and South Africa.
The Induction of MW Pretorius, the first president of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek on 6 January 1857 and the Transvaal Vierkleur (four colour flag) hoisted for the first time.
1859 - The first railway in South Africa commenced in Cape Town.
1860 - The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser was published for the first time. This newspaper is still in operation today.
The first Indians arrived in Natal to work on the sugar cane plantations.
The first telegraph service in South Africa became operational between Cape Town and Simonstown.
Start of the penny post in South Africa
Work began on the Dock in Table Bay
Voortrekker Republics north of the Vaalriver unit to form the South African Republic, Pretoria was chosen as capital.
1861 - The Graaff-Reinet College was opened.
1862 - The first railway was opened in the Cape Colony.
1866 - Gold was discovered in the Hinterland
1867 - A 25 carat diamond found near Hopetown.
1869 - The star of South Africa diamond discovered.
1870 - The famous Black Acorn grapevine was planted by Reverand Charles Murray at the Dutch Reformed Parsonage in Graaff-Reinet. It is still on display at the Reinet Museum. From the grapes of this vine, Withond , is brewed once a year.
Cape Town Docks were officially opened.
1871 - The discovery of diamonds on the farm Vooruitzicht, later to become the Diamond Rush and the area renamed to Kimberley. The migrant labour force to work on the mines were needed, the beginning of the migrant labour system that South Africa still suffers from today.
Gold was discovered in Eastern Transvaal. Origins of Pelgrimsrust.
The British annexed the diamond fields of Kimberley.
1872 - His excellence, Governer Sir Henry Barkly and his wife visisted Graaff-Reinet on 31 January 1872.
1873 - The Standard Bank building in Graaff-Reinet was erected. This building has been restored many times and currently is utilized by ABSA Bank.
The Midland Farmers Association in Graaff-Reinet was established and they instigated the yearly argricultural show.
Dr Arenhold inaugurated Graaff-Reinet's first pipe-organ on Sunday, 5 October 1973. The St. James Church enlarged the pipe organ in 1883 and it remained in operation until 1945.
1875 - The first telegram facility was brought to Graaff-Reinet.
1877 - The opening of the Middellandse Hospital in Graaff-Reinet on 25 Janaury 1877.
Paul Kruger leads a deputation to Britain on 10 May 1877 to demand the Freedom of the ZAR (South African Republic) after it had been annexed by Shepstone a month earlier.
1878 - The little village of Nieu-Bethesda was founded in the Sneeuberg by the Dutch Reformed Church.
The firm Gleghorn & Harris opens their first branch in South Africa in Graaff-Reinet. The building has been restored and houses Shoprite Checkers today.
1879 - The railway line from Port Elizabeth was opened in Graaff-Reinet. The first train arrived on Monday afternoon, 25 August 1879, at 17:00 with 200 passengers.
1880 - The first Municipal election in Graaff-Reinet occurred on 8 December 1880.
A second church was built by the London Missionary Society in Middle Street, Graaff-Rienet. It was nicknamed "Klein Londen" and was built to accommodate the growing number of South Sotho speaking people in the Graaff-Reinet region.
The formation of the De Beers Company in Kimberley.
1881 - The British recognize the South African Republic (ZAR).
The induction of Paul Kruger as the president of the ZAR.
1885 - The railway line from Cape Town reaches Kimberley.
1886 - The cornerstone was laid for the fourth Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff-Reinet.
Discovery of gold bearing rock at Ferreira's camp, later to become Johannesburg.
1887 - The fourth Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff-Reinet was opened on 11 September. 2,000 people attended the service at 10:30.
1888 - Cecil John Rhodes amalgamated the Kimberley mining companies as De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.
1892 - The Railway line to Johannesburg completed with connections from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London.
1894 - The Railway line between Lourenco Marques (now Maputo in Mosambique) and Johannesburg opened.
1899 - Anglo-Boer War starts. Over 25 000 (mostly women and children) die in the world's first concentration camps erected by the British.
1900 - The first Boer Prisoners of War arrive in St. Helena and by July that year the British started implementing the Scorched Earth (Burning of farms) policy that had been authorised by the British Government. Public outcry occured in Britain after photographs taken by Emily Hobhouse in South Africa was published.
1902 - More than 200 teachers arrived from England to teach in the British concentration camps.
1902 - Commando Leader Gideon Scheepers was executed on 15:30 on the Murraysburg road, 3km outside of Graaff-Reinet.
The cornerstone was laid for the Graaff-Reinet Town Hall on 26 June 1902. However there was decided to move it to another premises at a late date.
1904 - Reverand Charles Murray died. He was the son of Andrew Murray.
Chinese labourers recruited for the Transvaal gold mines.
1906 - The new buildings to house the Graaff-Reinet College was completed. These buildings were later used by the Teachers' Training College and today houses the Police Academy in Graaff-Reinet.
1908 - A Boer War memorial was erected in Graaff-Reinet to commemorate the eight Boers who were executed in Graaff-Reinet. The authorities refused to allow the erection of the memorial on public property, even the Dutch Reformed Church was set against it, knowing that it would hinder reconciliation amongst the Graaff-Reinet community. It was finally erected on private land donated by Jurie Laubscher. The memorial stands on the corner of Somerset & Donkin Street. On 1 December 1908 a meeting was held to commemorate them and the next day the statue was unveiled.
1910 - The declaration of the Union of South Africa and Louis Botha is inducted as the first Prime Minister of South Africa.
1911 - The Victoria Town Hall in Graaff-Reinet was opened by Henry Burton, the minister of Native Affairs, on 5 September 1911.
The first census was taken of the South African population.
1913 - The Natives Land Act impleted that restricted black ownership of land.
1914 - Advocate CJ Langenhoven got Afrikaans recognized as the medium of instruction up to Standard IV (grade 6) for all Afrikaans children in the Cape.
The first doll was made in Graaff-Reinet by Mr & Mrs Jurie Laubsher and their daughter Annie. As the demand for these dolls increased more and more labourers were hired.
1916 - Anton Rupert was born on 4 October 1916 in Graaff-Reinet.
1917 - The Teachers' Training College was established in Graaff-Reinet. It was the only college available for male English teachers.
1918 - A War memorial was erected on Church Square in Graaff-Reinet. It is an angel that stands guard over the names of the men from Graaff-Reinet that died during WWI.
Governor-general Lord Buxton and Lady Buxton visited Graaff-Reinet.
1919 - Sir Frederick de Waal, administrator of the Cape, laid the foundation-stone of the new hospital on 30 May 1919 in Graaff-Reinet.
1920 - Union High School in Graaff-Reinet commenced on 2 February 1920 as an independent English Church School under the leadership of Reverend J Whaits.
1921 - Economic Depression, Diamond mines close down in Kimberley.
1922 - Hoër Volkskool was established in Graaff-Reinet. This was the first Afrikaans-medium school in the Cape.
1924 - Robert Mangaliso was born in Graaff-Reinet. He was the founder of the Pan African Congress in South Africa.
1925 - The Van Rynevelds Dam was completed and Graaff-Reinet got tapped water.
1926 - The opening of the New Dutch Reformed Church on the corner of Bourke and Caledon Street in Graaff-Reinet.
1930 - White women receive the vote.
1932 - Airmail service between South Africa and Britian started in January 1932.
1933 - The first Afrikaans Bible was published.
1934 - Prince George visited Graaff-Reinet
1936 - The South African Broadcasting Corporation was established.
1939 - Mr Bernie Pitman commenced a hostel at 83 Somerset Street, Graaff-Reinet for boys at Union High School. Today this colonial building, known as Karoopark Guest House, offers B&B or self-catering accommodation.
1942 - At the fall of Tobruk in June 1924, the men from Graaff-Reinet, that fought along with the Middellandse Regiment (DMR) in North Africa, were among the garrison of more than 30,000 men, who were forced to capitulate to General Rommel's men.
1947 - The Royal Family visited Graaff-Reinet.
1948 - The National Party was elected to Government in South Africa. Known as the beginning of the Apartheid era. Danial Francois Malan was inducted as Prime Minister.
1949 - Hoër Volkskool burnt down in Graaff-Reinet. The school decided to re-built a primary school on the premises and the High School moved to Plascet Street.
Consecration of the Voortrekker Monument in Johannesburg.
1960 - Sharpville Massacre, police opened fire on a crowd protesting on 21 March 1960.
1961 - The Republic of South Africa was established.
1965 - Dr Rupert arranged for the Historical Homes of South Africa to buy the dilapidated church in Church Street, Graaff-Rienet. They restored it and today it houses the Hester Rupert Art Gallery.
1966 - The Hester Rupert Art Gallery in Graaff-Reinet is officially opened by ex State President CR Swart.
The Historical Homes of South Africa acquired the properties that now form Stretch's Court in Graaff-Reinet.
The home of the Te Water-family on the corner of Church & Somerset Street in Graaff-Reinet, is opened as the Te-Water Art Gallery.
1969 - Dr Rupert purchased and restored the old Coloured Mission Church, nicknamed "Groot London" in Pasonage Street, Graaff-Reinet. It is known today as the John Rupert Little Theatre.
Louis Armstrong becomes the first man to step on the moon.
1970 - Stretch's Court, Graaff-Reinet is fully restored. Today these houses are utilized by the Drostdy Hotel for accommodation.
1971 - Dr Rupert became the honoury citizen of Graaff-Reinet. This honour was bestowes on him for his continued effort to help with the preservation of Graaff-Reinet for future generations.
1975 - The Historical Homes and Oude Meester group purchased the Drostdy property in Graaff-Reinet and restored it to its former glory.
1978 - The old Residency was annexed to the Reinet House museum in Graaff-Reinet.
1979 - The opening of the Old Residency Museum in Graaff-Reinet.
1980 - The John Rupert Theatre in Graaff-Reinet was inaugurated with a performance by Patrick Mynhardt.
1981 - Dr Rupert calls on the local town council to assist with the restoration of Graaff-Reinet.
1982 - Graaff-Reinet's modern town library is opened on the 1 December 1982 on the premise of the old government school in Pasonage Street.
On the same date the old public library in Church Street, Graaff-Reinet is re-opened as the Old Library Museum.
1984 - Coloured and Asian citizens of South Africa given the vote.
1994 - The first Democratic Elections were held in South Africa and the previous homelands re-incorporated into South Africa.
2001 - Govan Mbeki, father of Thabo Mbeki, passed away on 30 August 2001.
Chris Barnard (the noted heart specialist who preformed the world's first open-heart transplant) passed away on 2 September 2001.
2002 - The new airport in Graaff-Reinet is officially opened in October. It was built thanks to Dr. Rupert.
2005 - Karoo Nature Reserve outside Graaff-Reinet was declared the Camdeboo National Park. It's the 22nd National Park in South Africa.
2005 - Dr. Anton Rupert's wife, Huberte Rupert passed away on 28 October 2005.
2006 - Dr. Anton Rupert passed away on 18 January 2006.
A tribute to Dr. Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte Rupert was held in the Dutch Reformed Church on the 10th of February 2006.
Some information obtrained from the Lantern July 1986
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