Historical Events in Stockholm

1. Founding of Stockholm (1252)

The official founding year of Stockholm is generally thought to be 1252, when the emerging Swedish leader Birger Jarl allegedly built a fortress to protect the area.

2. Stockholm Bloodbath (1520)

A sensational event in the city's history is the Stockholm Bloodbath, which occurred in November 1520. The Danish King Christian II ordered the execution of almost 100 Swedish nobles in the main public square.

3. Gustav Vasa and Swedish Independence (1523)

Gustav Vasa liberated Stockholm from Danish rule in 1523, becoming the King of Sweden and marking the start of independent Sweden with Stockholm as its capital.

4. Great Fire of 1625

The Great Fire of 1625 was one of several fires that devastated Stockholm over centuries. The city was largely wooden, making it susceptible to fires.

5. The Sweden House (1923-1930)

Between 1923 and 1930, the Sweden House was built on Norrmalm's square as part of a modernization project, housing the Stockholm Concert Hall and other cultural institutions.

6. Adolf Fredrik Church Crash (1944)

During World War II, in 1944, a fully loaded B-17 bomber crashed on the Adolf Fredrik Church in the city center, marking a tragic event in Stockholm's history.

7. Drottninggatan Terror Attack (2017)

In April 2017, a deliberate attack occurred on Drottninggatan, one of Stockholm's largest pedestrian shopping streets. A hijacked truck crashed into a department store, killing several people and injuring many more.

8. Metro Subway System

The first line opened in 1950, and today the Stockholm Metro, often called the world's longest art gallery, is vital to the city's transport.

9. Olof Palme Assassination (1986)

Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated on Central Stockholm's Sveavägen Street in February 1986 in an event that shocked the nation and the world.