As part of our celebrations to mark 150 years of the Edinburgh Evening News, we’ve taken a look back at the big events that shaped Edinburgh since our publication was founded in 1873.
So many landmark moments have taken place in the Capital since then, including the creation of Edinburgh’s two premier football clubs Hearts and Hibs, the Cowgate fire in 2002, two Papal visits, Hearts players fighting in the First World War, the restoration of the Scottish Parliament and the signing of the Edinburgh Agreement in 2012 for the terms of the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.
Other iconic events include the opening of Central Library in 1890, the Zeppelin bombing of the city in 1916, Potobello joining Edinburgh in 1896 and Leith following in 1920, despite locals voting against it. The city has also welcomed the Commonwealth Games twice, in 1970 and 1986.
Other iconic events include the opening of Central Library in 1890, the Zeppelin bombing of the city in 1916, Potobello joining Edinburgh in 1896 and Leith following in 1920, despite locals voting against it. The city has also welcomed the Commonwealth Games twice, in 1970 and 1986.
9. Papal visits
Only two Popes have ever visited Edinburgh. Pope John Paul II visited the Capital in 1982. Murrayfield Stadium was his first port of call, where he met with around 45,000 young people and Protestant church leaders, before visiting the Capital’s Catholic cathedral and the Assembly Hall. The next day, June 1, saw John Paul II visit patients at St Joseph's Hospital in Rosewell, address teachers at St Andrew's College, and celebrate Mass with a huge crowd of around 300,000 people at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park.
In September 2010 Pope Benedict XVI visited the city, where he was driven along Princes Street in the 'Popemobile' and spoke to well-wishers outside the then Cardinal’s residence in Morningside before going in for lunch. He later led a huge outdoor mass in Gasgow’s Bellahouston Park attended by around 65,000 people before flying to London that evening. Photo: National World
10. MTV Awards
The MTV Awards came to Edinburgh in 2003, held in a temporary big top tent venue in Western Harbour next to Ocean Terminal, with 6,000 people in attendance. Acts who performed on the night included Travis, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Dido, the Darkness and the White Stripes. Best-selling crime author Ian Rankin is pictured at the event, where presenters included André 3000, Justin Timberlake, The Black Eyed Peas and Ludacris. Photo: Phil Wilkinson