Bristol By ella.mabbutt 803 St James Priory founded 1009 Market Active 1220 Bristol Cathedral construction begins 1295 Parliamentary representation begins 1643 Bristol taken by forces of Prince Rupert - Civil War 1645 Bristol taken by forces of Cromwell 1656 Bristol Castle demolished 1710 Colston's Hospital founded 1737 Bristol Royal Infirmary opens 1747 Bristol becomes Britain's busiest slave trading port 1768 Bristol Bridge built 1809 Docks built 1871 Bristol Museum and Library established 1876 University College, Bristol opens 1895 Electric tram begins operating 1909 University of Bristol founded 1930 Whitchurch Airport begins operating. Nov 2, 1940 Aerial bombing by German forces begins May 15, 1944 Aerial bombing by German forces ends 1958 Bristol bus station open 1970 BBC Radio Bristol begins broadcasting 1977 Gay Pride begins 1992 University of the West of England granted university status 2001 Bristol Royal Hospital for Children building opens 2011 Bristol becomes a "city of sanctuary" for refugees 2012 George Ferguson elected Mayor of Bristol