Madurai

American College established in Madurai

American missionaries raised their Madurai mission school to a collegiate department in 1881, creating the American College.

Pandithurai Thevar founds the Fourth Tamil Sangam in Madurai

Pandithurai Thevar, a member of the Ramnad royal family, founded the Madurai Tamil Sangam, known as the Fourth Tamil Sangam, to promote Tamil learning.

T. V. Sundram Iyengar starts a bus service in Madurai

T. V. Sundram Iyengar began Madurai's first bus service and founded the firm that grew into the TVS Group.

Gandhi adopts the loincloth at Madurai

During a tour of the Madras Presidency, Mahatma Gandhi gave up his full attire and began wearing only a loincloth at Madurai.

Subhas Chandra Bose received in Madurai

After launching the Forward Bloc, Subhas Chandra Bose visited Madurai, where Muthuramalinga Thevar organised his reception.

Daily Thanthi founded at Madurai

S. P. Adithanar founded the Tamil daily Dina Thanthi in Madurai; it became the largest-circulating Tamil newspaper.

Gandhi Memorial Museum opens in Madurai

Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Gandhi Memorial Museum in the Rani Mangammal palace at Madurai.

1965 anti-Hindi agitation

Student-led protests against Hindi becoming the sole official language turned into statewide riots, with police firing and self-immolations.

Madurai becomes a municipal corporation

Madurai became a municipal corporation, the first one set up in Tamil Nadu since independence.

Fifth World Tamil Conference held in Madurai

The fifth World Tamil Conference, a gathering of Tamil scholars from many countries, was held in Madurai.

M. S. Subbulakshmi becomes the first musician awarded the Bharat Ratna

Madurai-born Carnatic singer M. S. Subbulakshmi was the first musician to be given the Bharat Ratna, the country's top civilian award.

First Uzhavar Sandhai farmers' market opens in Madurai

Madurai hosted the first market of the DMK government's Uzhavar Sandhai scheme, where farmers could sell their produce straight to buyers.

Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court opens

A permanent bench of the Madras High Court began functioning in Madurai to serve the southern districts.

Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project inaugurated

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched work on a shipping canal between India and Sri Lanka, a project later stalled by the Ram Setu dispute.

Vijayakanth founds the DMDK

Actor Vijayakanth launched the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam at Madurai.

Attack on the Dinakaran office in Madurai

After Dinakaran ran a survey on Karunanidhi's political heir, its Madurai office was firebombed and three people were killed.

Madurai malli recognised as a geographical indication

Madurai jasmine became the first flower from Tamil Nadu to be given geographical indication status.

Kamal Haasan founds Makkal Needhi Maiam

Actor Kamal Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam party at a public meeting in Madurai.

Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme launched

Free breakfast for children in government primary schools began in Madurai and was later extended to all government primary schools.

Kalaignar Centenary Library opens in Madurai

A large state-run public library named after M. Karunanidhi was opened in Madurai.