1903
The first newspaper in Zanzibar "Samachar" was printed. It was
later reorganized as a daily paper with the first appearing on Monday
August 21, 1905.Later on several newspapers were published in Zanzibar .

1903 September 26
A powerful light house at Kigomasha in Pemba and that of Chumbe
were opened. The light houses were constructed by the Public works
Department. Great improvements took place to the Zanzibar light houses
from the beginning of 1900 by converted to a flashing system of A.G.A.
i.e. the sun valve control hereby the lights are extinguished shortly
after dawn and relit before sunset automatically.
The first modern market in Zanzibar was opened at Darajani and
named Estella Market of commonly known as Marikiti Kuu. Estella ,
Countess Cave was a sister of General Sir Lloyd Mathews then First
Minister and Consul General of Zanzibar. Opened by Sultan Ali bin
Hamoud, credit is due to Mr. Bomanjee Maneckjee, the Minister for Public
Work who turned an old ruined site into a building of a considerable
architectural beauty.

1904 July 18
Sultan Hamoud bin Mohammed died and Seyyid Ali bin Homoud took
over the throne. Ali was the youngest Sultan to take over the throne at
the age of 18. He was the first Sultan to have western education and was
very much influenced by the western culture by his dresses, food and
language.

1904 August
The French Post Office of Zanzibar was closed.French Consular
post office issued stamps of various denominations of Peace and Commerce
which were issued by the French Metropolitan Government between 1876 and
1900.

1905
The first Government School started in Zanzibar through the
initiative of Sultan Ali bin Hamoud. This school was named Town Boys Primary
School at Darajani.
The famous Bububu Railway was built by an American firm. The 7
mile Railway connected Bububu and Forodhani consisted of a 3 ft gauge
light track. It was sold to the Government in 1911. The Railway stopped
its passenger service in July 1922 and used for the haulage of stone for
the harbor works. The engines and the rolling stock of Bububu Railway
completed their journey in August 31,1929.

1905 September
Electric light and power was supplied within a radius of 5 miles
from the Sultan's Palace. The plant was installed by Mr. J. A. Jones of
New York , and thereafter the streets of Zanzibar town lit with
electricity much earlier than other streets in London which were still
to make do with gas lamp.

1906 July 04
The Official switching on of the electric light in the Streets
of Zanzibar town. This was the first time in the history of any town in
East Africa . Indeed,Telephone services in public use and private with
switchboard installed at the Old Fort. The facilities were installed by
an American Company and hence opened in the Independence day of America
.

1907
Zanzibar Army was disbanded and the defence of the country
entrusted to two companies of King's African Rifles [KAR].
The official opening of Shangani Post Office. The British Post
al Services started in1873 in the Mackenzie Building and in 1895
December the service took a more formal charge when it joined into the
Postal Union. Meanwhile the Zanzibar first postage stamps appeared on
September 20, 1896 printed by the firm of the De la Rue.

1907 December 10
Official opening of the wireless telegraphy services at Mnazi
Mmoja. This first wireless telegraphy in East Africa was opened by Mrs.
Cave, the wife of then British Consul General. The service connected
Zanzibar and Pemba within a few minutes was another red letter I the
annals of Zanzibar .

1908 January
The silver Rupee of British India made the standard coin of the
Protectorate and Zanzibar currency notes issued.Final abolition of the
Consular court's of Zanzibar of the various powers. All subjects,
irrespective of nationality, thus became amenable to British
jurisdiction.

1908 May 13
The Zanzibar Court of Justice at Vuga was officially opened. The
building is a fine piece of Saracenic architecture, the creation of Mr.
J. H.Sinclair. And the dome surmounting the clock tower and the vista of
arches are a distinct addition to the place.



1908
The first currency Decree was promulgated and provided for and
issue of the first Zanzibar currency Notes.
The first car came to Zanzibar . This Germany made car "Daimler"
was used by Sultan Ali bin Hamoud. The motor car sfor passengers started
in 1927 when the trial was made for three cars: Morris Cowley, Citroen
and Fiat each carrying for passengers to Mangapwani.

1911 December
Seyyid Ali bin Hamoud visited England to attend the Coronation
of His Majesty King George V. Whilst in Europe he abdicated and decided
to leave in Paris where he died in 1918.
Seyyid Khalifa bin Haroub ascended the throne of Zanzibar and
his coronation was held at the House of Wonder. He wa the longest Sultan
to rule Zanzibar from 1911-1960. (49 years on Power)

1913
Control of Zanzibar Sultanate passed from the Foreign Office to
the Colonial Office.

1914 January
Control of Zanzibar transferred formally from Foreign Office to
Colonial Office. The new post British Resident an Chief Secretary were
created. Major F.B. Pearce was made the first British Resident and J. H.
Sinclair became the first Chief Secretary.

1914 August
The first World War was started. Zanzibar declared war on
Germany and the Treaty of Zanzibar with Germany lapsed.

1914 September
H.M.S. Pegasus the British Ship sunk in Zanzibar Harbor by the
German Cruiser "Koningsberg".

1915 July
The Zanzibar Theater Cinema House at Darajani Bridge was opened
in Saturday. The first installment of the serial Elmo the Mighty in
which Elmo Lincoln and Lucile Love the beautiful and talented favorite,
figure in exploits of sensetial adventures was successful screened
before a crowded house.

1916 August
The first naval airplane to Zanzibar landed during the period of
the first world. The Eastern African campaign during the War saw the
novel use of aircraft in naval operations. Majority of these aircraft's
had underpowered engines and wooden airframes which were prone to severe
problems in the tropical climate. Sultan Khalifa bin Haroub was the
first Arab ruler to view his kingdom from the air by flying the aircraft
piloted by Lt. J. Cull of Royal Navy Air Service.

1917 March
The Darajani bridge was opened by J. H. Sinclair, then British
Resident replacing the old wooden bridge. The bridge was designed by Mr.
Crawleys the Director of public work The bridge was a connecting link
between the town peninsular and the main island. The bridge was of 2
spans with a total length of 70 feet by 20 feet wide.

1918
The first motor lorry two-ton-Daimler to Zanzibar was bought by
Public Works Department. It was used for the construction of various
roads in the country side.

1918 November
Armistice signed and the First World War ended.

1920 July
Zanzibar experienced the closure of of the International
Maritime bureau established in 1892 for the purpose of centralization of
information relating to native vessels and slave trade in general.

1923
The new standard measure of weight and capacity were made: A
Pound being standard measure of weight in I, A gallon as standard
measure of capacity, A Yard as standard measure of length and Square
Yard as a standard measure of surface.

1923 June
Service of the two Companied of the K.A.R discontinued and the
defence of the country entrusted to the Zanzibar Police Department.

1925 December
The first tractor arrived in Zanzibar . The tractor named the
Guy Roadless Tractor of 19 horse power is what termed technically as a
half -track vehicle. It was used for construction of roads and its first
trials took place at Kidimni-Ndagaa road construction.

1926 March
Executive and Legislative councils constituted and the Zanzibar
Protectorate Council, formed in 1914 abolished. The establishment of
these bodies was in line with the British Policy to start with the
system of rule of Law. The Legislative council was later on became the
Parliament and Executive Council became Cabinet of Minister.
The first session of the Zanzibar Legislative Council opened by
His Highness Khalifa bin Haroud, the Sultan of Zanzibar.

1927 January
The first British Official messages were received at the
Zanzibar Station. The receiver installed was by the Marconi Company Ltd.
designed for reception of good headphone signals in any part of the
world of all high power continues wave stations.

1928 March
Siti bt Saad realized her first record of Taarab music. Siti and
her band signed a recording contract with AbdulKarim Hakim Khan His
Masters' Voice Agent in Zanzibar to go to Calcutta India to record their
music. Siti became the first women in East Africa to record her music
and the first person to ever record and release song in Kiswahili.

1929 July
First step was taken to improve the quality of cloves for export
by subjecting them to compulsory inspection in accordance with the
provisions of the Agricultural Produce Decree.

1929 October
Zanzibar census Report was published.
The harbor works was formally handed over to His Highness on
behalf of the Zanzibar Government by Mr. H. H. G. Mitchell, the
consulting Engineer of Messrs Coode, at the ceremony held at the
entrance of Harbor works in the presence of a large gatherings.

1929 November
Malindi Harbor opened. The harbor was designed by Col.
G.T.Nicholson- Harbor advisory Engineer to the Union of South Africa. It
had many facilities including a fresh water main with hydrants to supply
to the ships and pipe to convey the oil to and from ships alongside.

1929 December
Commencement of dimming electric lights at 8.00 p.m to give time
signal.

1930
Zanzibar first aerodrome was constructed at Dunga. The strip was
800 yards by 150 yards was used only for light and medium size aircraft.
1930 April

The first commercial plane landed on Zanzibar . The plane was
piloted by Captain T. Campbell Black, Managing Director of the then
Wilson 's Airways Ltd. By communicating with Police Station at Ziwani he
pilot managed to land on Mnazi Mmoja Golf Course on Monday at 10.00.

1931 March
The first overseas air mail arrived at Zanzibar by the then
inaugurated African air mail services. It was posted in London on the
27th February, reached Kisumu on 10th March and arrived at Zanzibar
after five days.
Likewise the first air mail correspondence from Zanzibar to
outside world was dispatched on Friday 5th June 1931at 7.00 a.m

1932 February
First cinema talkie exhibited in Zanzibar at the Royal Cinema.

1935 March
The official opening ceremony of the new high pressure water
supply at Mwanyanya (Bububu) by sultan Khalifa bin Haroub to supply
water to the town of Zanzibar and Ng'ambo.

1936 January
The substitution of East African currency for Rupee currency
i.e. the new Shilling currency came into force following the
establishment of the common East African Currency Board. Postage stamps
of new denominations were introduced.

1936 February
Serious riot of Manga Arabs (commonly known as Vita Vya Wamanga
or vita vya Mbata) broke out in the town of Zanzibar . The cause of it
was in the application of Alliteration of Produce Decree. The Inspector
of Police was killed four rioters were killed and several other people
wounded. Great alarm prevailed in Zanzibar and all shop was closed.

1937 December 21
Official Opening ceremony of Jubilee Gardens at Forodhani laid
out by Government to celebrate silver Jubilee Of His Late Majesty King
George V and the memorial erected thereon by public inscriptions to
celebrate the silver Jubilee of Sultan Khalifa bin haroub.

1946
The first African, Sk. Ameir Tajo was appointed to join the
Legislative Council to represent the African majority in this law making
body.

1947 December
For the first time in Zanzibar 's history a Bull and Donkey
shaow was held at Mnazi Mmoja under the auspices of the Zanzibar Society
for revention of Cruelty to Animals.

1948 August
The employees of the African Wharfage Company went on strike and
Zanzibar was faced with complete paralysis of loading and unloading
shipping cargoes.

1948 September
Zanzibar witnessed an unprecedented strike in its history. All
African employees including domestic employees and Ayahs went on strike
in sympathy with the African Wharfage dock hands. The African Labor's of
P.W.D. and Sweepers joined in the Strike. All shops were closed and
business was at standstill.

1949 December
For the first time Gossage Cup Football match was played at
Seyyid Khalifa Sports Grounds (Mnazi Mmoja?) between Uganda and
Tanganyika which resulted in a draw. The following day Kenya beat
Zanzibar by three goals to two in a good exciting match. Tangnyika beat
Kenya two nil in a final match.

1951 July
A serious riot broke out as a result of the opposition of the
cattle owners of Kimbe Samaki for compulsory inoculation against
Anthrax, commonly known as Vita vya Ngombe. Twenty cattle owners were
prosecuted an 19 sentenced to terms imprisonment. A crowd of
sympathizer's after making ill-advised effort to realize the prisoner's
as they were leaving the court, hurried to the jail bent on the same
purpose and serious riot took place outside the prison.

1957
The first election to be held in Zanzibar . The elections were
protested by both political parties and racial and religious
organization but in the end, the election was really became a contest
between ASP and ZNP. ASP won five out 6 seats.

1963 December
Zanzibar got its Independen
ce and Mohammed Shamte Hamad became the first Prime Minister.But
constitutionally it was declared the Sultan the Head of State and giving
him more power to appoint his Successor.

1964 January
The Revolution took place to topple not only the ZNP/ZPPP
Government but also the monarchy, under the Leadership of late Mzee,
Abeid Amaan Karume. With the establishment of of a republic and a new
coalition of classes in power, radical changes took places. In fact with
the exception of Guinea no country in tropical Africa changed radically
in so short time.

1964 March
Nationalization of Land and later distributed to the poor. This
was a major reform program to change the society and the ownership of
Land.

1964 April
The Republic of Zanzibar united with the Republic of Tanganyika
to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Under new setup the late Julius
Nyerere became the first President and Karume became the first Vice
President of Tanzania respectively.

1964 September
Education was declared free for all. The declaration made a
considerable changes in which the children from low class had
opportunity to attend the schools.Zanzibar today is almost self-
sufficient in man power.

1965 May
Decree to declare Zanzibara one Party State . Afro Shirazi Party
was the sole Political Party until 1992 following the introduction of
Multi Party system in Tanzania .

1966 October
The Bank of Tanzania Act: The establishment of Bank of Tanzania
as Central Bank to provide for the Currency and other banking functions.
The Tanzania Currency of and coins i.e. Tanzanian Shilling were issued
for the former East African Shilling.

1972 April
The Assassination of the First President of Zanzibar and
Chairman of Revolutionary Council, His Excellency Mzee Abbeid Karume at
Kisiwandui, the Afro Shirazi Party Headquarters. Honorable Aboud Jumbe
was appointed as President of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary
Council.

1977 February
The inception of Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) At Amaan Stadium
Zanzibar. Following the unity of Tanzanian Mainland, Tanganyika African
National Union (TANU) and Zanzibari Afro Shirazi Party Tanzania remained
a one party state until 1992.

1980 January
The first 1979 Zanzibar Constitution came into force.
Thereafter, member of first Commissioners of Election was appointed.

1980 November
The appointment of His Excellency Aboud Jumbe a President of
Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary council as per stipulation of new
Zanzibar Constitution.

1984 January
The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary Council
Alhaj Aboud Jumbe resigned from his post following the political crisis
relating to Union issues and Alhaj Ali Hassan Mwinyi was appointed
Interim President.

1984 April
Zanzibar General Election for Presidential election and Alhaj
Ali Hassan Mwinyi was elected overwhelmingly majority and became the
third President of Zanzibar. Mwinyi initiated trade liberation policy in
Zanzibar

























pesa mbili = senti 5
pesa nne = senti 10
pesa sita = senti 15
pesa nane = senti 20
pesa kumi = senti 25
pesa kumi na mbili = senti 30
nusu shilingi = senti 50..... sumni
pesa thalathini = senti 75
shilingi moja = senti 100