Cardiff, the capital city of Wales

History of Cardiff

Archaeological excavations have unearthed evidence of people having settled in Cardiff in as early as 6,000 BC. The Romans established a fort here following the Roman Conquest of Britain. In 1081 AD, following the Norman Conquest, work began on a castle within the walls of the Roman fort, under the order of King William I of England (William the Conquerer). Much of Cardiff, including Cardiff Castle was destroyed in 1404 by Owain Glyndŵr, (Prince of Wales, Lord of Glyndyfrdwy, and Cynllaith Owain) during the Glyndŵr Rebellion (1400 - c.1415). Following a rebuilding, Cardiff established itself as a busy port in the Middle Ages. From 1830 onwards, Cardiff grew rapidly following the building of the dock by the 2nd Marquis of Bute. At it's peak, Cardiff port (known as Tiger Bay) was the busiest port in the world. City status was granted to Cardiff by King Edward VII in 1905 and it was proclaimed the capital city of Wales in 1955. In 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) was launched. It's creation was led by the then-Minister for Health, Aneurin Bevan, who hailed from Tredegar, near Cardiff. Following the 1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum, the National Assembly for Wales was established in Cardiff Bay (1999).