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| Before B.C. |
The area was occupied by Celtic brigantes and Wigan was one of their settlements. |
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| A.D. 77 |
Agricola subdues the locals and settles down in 'Coccium'. |
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| 1086 |
Wigan part of the Newton Barony and rectors became 'Local Lords'. |
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| 1100 |
It is said that King Henry I granted a Charter of Incorporation. This would have made Wigan the oldest borough in Lancashire. |
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| 1245 |
Wigan gained the right to hold a weekly market (Mondays) and six days annual fair. |
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| 1246 |
A Charter was granted by King Henry III to John Mansel, the rector of Wigan which constituted the town a free borough. |
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| 1291 |
Pope Nicholas IV required all ecclesiastical livings to be valued and the income of Wigan Parish Church was given as £33 6s 8d. |
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| 1295 |
Parliamentary representation given to the town. Two members enter Westminster, they were William Teinterer and Henry le Bocher. |
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| 1314 |
Edward II confirms the 1246 Charter. |
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| 1333 |
Sir William Bradshaigh was killed at Newton-in-Makerfield. |
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| 1351 |
The sixth Charter of Wigan granted by Edward III. |
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| 1378 |
The seventh Charter of Wigan granted by Richard II. |
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| 1399 |
The eighth Charter of Wigan granted by Henry IV. |
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| 1519 |
Thomas Linacre became Rector of Wigan. |
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| 1552 |
An act was passed stipulating that "Lancashire Cotton" must be 22 yards long, three-quarters of a yard wide and weigh at least 30 pounds a piece. |
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| 1580 |
Francis Sherington became Mayor of Wigan and initiated a movement to found a Free Grammar School. |
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| 1603 |
Grammar School opened in Standish. |
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| 1619 |
Peter Plat, a chandler in Millgate, dug what was probably the first pit within the township, he was granted a licence by the Rector to drain water from his pit into Millgate. |
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| 1644 |
Famous siege of Lathom House. |
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| 1651 |
The Battle of Wigan Lane, last battle in Civil War. |
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| 1670 |
John Ogilby wrote that Wigan was noted for its ironworks and that pewter and pottery both flourished. |
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| 1675 |
A copper vessel containing more than 200 silver coins, ranging from AD 90 to 240, was found just beyond the northern edge of Wigan. |
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| 1715 |
Following the up-rising in Preston, Jacobite prisoners were marched through Wigan on the way to London for trial. A few were tried in Wigan, and five were publicly executed in the Market Place. |
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| 1720 |
Sir Roger Bradshaigh and Earl Barrymore, the two Wigan MPs built a new Town Hall in the Market Place. |
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| 1727 |
Canal constructed parallel to River Douglas to transport coal. Later became part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. |
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| 1745 |
The Young Pretender - Prince Charles Edward - retreating from Manchester stayed the night in Wigan, at Walmesley House in Bishopgate. |
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| 1767 |
The Leeds and Liverpool canal was projected at a cost of £260,000. |
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| 1770 |
Work started on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. |
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| 1796 |
The Wigan Dispensary was founded and this gradually developed into the Infirmary. |
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| 1801 |
Population of Wigan 10,989. |
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| 1822 |
Two Roman urns containing bones were found during excavations for the foundations of the Wigan Gas Works. |
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| 1829 |
Wigan had its first railway. |
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| 1835 |
Wigan included in Municipal Corporation Act. |
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| 1849 |
Wigan Parish Church was completely re-built in the original style, except for the Tower and Walmesley Chapel. |
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| 1852 |
Riots in Scholes largely involving the Irish element in the population severely taxed the forces of law and order. |
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| 1853 |
Wigan Observer first publshed. Previously the only local paper had been the Wigan Times. |
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| 1856 |
Lower Ince Cemetery opened. |
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| 1868 |
Moot Hall demolished. |
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| 1872 |
Coop's factory opened in Dorning Street. |
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| 1873 |
The Prince of Wales opened The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. |
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| 1877 |
The New Market Hall was opened by the Mayor Alderman Mayhew. |
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| 1878 |
The Mesnes Park was opened by the High Sheriff of Lancashire N. Eckersley, Esq. |
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| 1901 |
Population of Wigan 89,152. |
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| 1913 |
Their majesties King George & Queen Mary visit Wigan (July 10th). |
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| 1922 |
New coat of arms granted to Wigan. |
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| 1930 |
First "Robot" traffic signals in Wigan at Standishgate and Mesnes Street Crossing. |
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| 1933 |
Mayor opens Wigan's Automatic Telephone Exchange. |
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| 1942 |
Wigan's first British Restaurant opened. |
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| 1947 |
Wigan Corporation bought Haigh Hall and Plantations from the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres for £18,000. |
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| 1964 |
Wigan Central Station closed. |
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| 1979 |
Ten men killed in an explosion at Golborne Colliery. |
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| 1980 |
Wigan Casino Club closed. |
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| 1986 |
HM The Queen opened Wigan Pier. |
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| 1988 |
Wigan oficially twinned with Angers in France. |
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| 1989 |
Death of Wigan artist J Lawrence Isherwood, aged 72. |
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| 1991 |
Princess Diana officially opened The Galleries. |
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| 1994 |
Wigan Rugby League Club win the RL Challenge Cup for the seventh year in succession. |
