The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Bamako, Mali. Prior to 20th century 16th century - Bambara in power. 1880 - Mandinka Samory Touré in power (approximate date). 1883 1 February: Town occupied by French forces under command of Gustave Borgnis-Desbordes. Fort built by French. 20th century 1903 - Fort demolished. 1904 - Koulikoro-Bamako railway built. 1906 - Chamber of commerce established. 1907 - (presidential residence) built. 1908 - 23 May: Capital of French colonial Upper Senegal and Niger relocated to Bamako from Kayes. 1919 - Bamako becomes a "commune-mixte" (form of administration).(fr) 1920 Bamako becomes capital of colonial French Sudan. Population: 16,000 (estimate). 1921 - Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Bamako active. 1923 - Dakar-Bamako railroad begins operating. 1924 - dedicated. 1927 - Sacred Heart Cathedral built. 1929 - "Submersible causeway to Sotuba" built across the Niger River. 1933 - Ecole Artisanale du Soudan (art school) established (later Institut National des Arts de Bamako). 1934 - Institut de la Lèpre (medical entity) begins operating. 1936 - Population: 21,000 (estimate). 1945 - Population: 36,000 (estimate). 1946 - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain political party headquartered in city. 1947 - Dakar–Niger Railway labor strike. 1948 - Photographer Seydou Keïta in business. 1949 - L'Essor newspaper begins publication. 1953 - Sudanese Museum opens. 1956 - Modibo Keïta elected mayor. 1958 Vincent Auriol Bridge built. Photographer Malick Sidibé in business. Population: 76,000. 1960 City becomes capital of the Republic of Mali. Djoliba AC (football club) formed. Stade Modibo Kéïta (stadium) opens. Population: 130,00 urban agglomeration. 1963 - École Normale Supérieure of Bamako opens. 1965 founded. Population: 168,000. 1970s - Grand Mosque of Bamako built. 1972 - Population: 225,000 (estimate). 1974 - Twin city relationship established with Angers, France. 1975 - Sister city relationship established with Rochester, New York, United States. 1976 - Population 419,239 1977 - 18 May: Funeral of Modibo Keita. 1978 District of Bamako created, consisting of six communes: Commune I, II, III, , V, and , each with its own mayor.(fr) Groupe Bogolan Kasobané (artisan group) formed. 1980 - March: Saharan states summit held in city. 1982 - National Museum of Mali active. 1983 - Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Mali headquartered in city. 1984 - October: Meeting of Economic Community of West African States held in city. 1987 "Islamic centre" built. African health ministers meet in city, adopt "Bamako Initiative" for healthcare. Population: 658,275 in city. 1989 -