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.
21. Murrayfield Stadium
Scotland's largest stadium, Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby and has hosted many concerts over the years by some music legends including U2, Oasis and David Bowie. On March 21, 1925 England were the first team to visit Murrayfield, with 70,000 people watching Scotland beat them to win their first Five Nations Championship Grand Slam. During the Second World War the ground at Murrayfield was offered to the nation and was taken over by the Royal Army Service Corps as a supply depot. Murrayfield's record attendance of 104,000 was set on March 1, 1975, when Scotland defeated Wales 12–10 during the 1975 Five Nations Championship. In 1994, Murrayfield completed a £50 million renovation where floodlights were installed for the first time, giving the ground it's current capacity of 67,000 for sports matches, with Hearts, Celtic and Hibs football games taking place there this century. Photo: Hamish Campbell
23. Live 8
Edinburgh 50,000 – The Final Push was part of the series of Live 8 concerts held around the world designed to encourage the leaders congregating at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, to consider the plight of those in absolute poverty, as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. Held on July 6 2005, four days after the other concerts, at Murrayfield Stadium, it coincided with the opening day of the 31st G8 summit and a rally in the city centre marking the end of Live 8. Among the acts appearing on stage at Murrayfield that day were James Brown, Bono, The Proclaimers, Peter Kay, Nelson Mandela, actor George Clooney, Annie Lennox, Snow Patrol and Travis. Photo: Cate Gillon