A new bill was passed in 2017 by the Lebanese government to protect heritage sites around the city, marking a historical turning point for activists who have pressed for legislative action since the end of the war, but has not been ratified. Timeline 1st century AD - Roman necropolis established on hill of St Dimitrios 1839 - Reform under Egyptian administration allows expansion of city beyond walls 1842 - Beirut takes over from Acre as seat of vilayet 1860 - Inter-communal conflict in Mount Lebanon and Damascus leads to influx of Christian refugees, many of whom settle in Achrafieh 1862 - Greek Orthodox Archbishop's residence moved from central Beirut to Achrafieh's Sursock Street 1870 - Moussa Sursock's palace completed 1885 - Zahrat al-Ihsan school constructed 1909 - Grand Lycee Francophone established by Mission Laique Francaise, near what is now Sodeco 1910 - Ilyas Sioufi establishes the Sioufi Furniture Factory along with Sioufi Gardens 1912 - Nicolas Sursock's villa constructed 1920 - Karm el-Zeitoun established as settlement for Armenian refugees 1927 - Church of the Annunciation, demolished during the construction of Place de l'Etoile, rebuilt in Achrafieh 1931 - Danger Plan aims to make Beirut into a garden city, never put into effect 1952 - Nicolas Sursock dies and leaves his villa to the city as a waqf, stipulating that it will become a public museum 1978 - Hundred Days' War centers on Achrafieh 1982 - Bachir Gemayel assassinated at Beit al-Kataeb on Sassine Street 2003 - ABC Achrafieh built on what was Salam football field 2020 - Beirut's port explosion devastates the city, especially northern areas of Achrafieh Education Schools and universities: Universite Saint Joseph de Beyrouth Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais Collège de la Sagesse Greater Beirut Evangelical School American University of Science and Technology University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Zahrat al-Ihsan Ecole des Trois Docteurs Places of worship Catholic churches: St Youhanna Maronite Church, on Adib Ishak Street Greek Orthodox churches: Notre Dame de l'Annonciation, historic church on Lebanon Street Saydet el Doukhoul Church St Dimitrios Church, hosting the Greek Orthodox cemetery for eastern Beirut St George Church, attached to the St George Hospital St Nicolas Church, an important parish church that was rebuilt in Byzantine style in the mid-twentieth century Mosques: Beydoun Mosque Syriac Orthodox churches: St Ephraim Church Notable people Michel Sassine, Prominent Lebanese politician, MP for the district of Beirut for 24 years