History Of Birmingham

The terms ‘the workshop of the world’ and ‘city of a thousand trades’ were coined in honour of Birmingham’s efforts during the Industrial Revolution in Britain and throughout its 1,000-year history.

Early history

Birmingham’s history stretches back to the Roman occupation of Britain where a large fort and military roads were constructed. It wasn’t until the early days of the first millennium that Birmingham became a small Anglo-Saxon settlement. Not long after the establishment of this small hamlet, a market was set-up which would later be known as the Bull Ring. Trade subsequently took off and Birmingham developed into a thriving market town.

Metalworking industries were established in the 16th century after the discovery of iron ore and coal. In the 17th century, Birmingham became a producer of small arms and supplied Cromwell with weaponry during the English Civil War. The arms manufacturing area in the city became known as the Gun Quarter.

The Industrial Revolution and its aftermath

During the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham became a major industrial centre and boasted numerous workshops. It was also at this time that a large network of canals was constructed in the city and in the Black Country to transport goods.
 
Many railway lines were constructed in Birmingham throughout the 19th century, including the Grand Junction Railway and later the London/Birmingham Railway. It wasn’t long before the rest of Britain was linked to Birmingham by rail. Birmingham’s New Street Station was opened in 1854 and still stands today.

Birmingham grew at a tremendous rate during Victorian times, second only to London by populace and this culminated in the Queen granting the town city status in 1889. The redbrick University of Birmingham was built a decade later in 1900.

Rebuilding after World War II

The Birmingham Blitz of World War II flattened great swathes of the city which led to a rebuilding programme in the 1950s and 1960s. Unfortunately, this quick refit resulted in Birmingham taking on a ‘concrete jungle’ look, with its new drab office blocks and apartments and ugly pedestrian subways. In recent years, the city has been revitalised and renovated.

The pedestrian subways have since been removed, buildings and canal sides have been rejuvenated, along with old warehouses and city squares.  The biggest project of all was the rebuilding of the Bull Ring shopping centre after the demolition of the old one. The new Bull Ring is now one of Europe’s premier shopping experiences, featuring Selfridges' eye-catching building.

Birmingham is a hugely cosmopolitan city after the immigration of thousands of people from the Commonwealth following World War II and the end of the British Empire. A significant percentage of immigrants, including Indians and Pakistanis, have integrated well into society and numerous Asian restaurants are a testament to this.

Birmingham sealed its reputation as a true world-class city after hosting the first official summit of the G8 at the International Convention Centre in 1998.