1913

The Apollo Theater was built under the name "Irish Music Hall"

1919

The Theater is sold and renamed Hurtig and Seamon's Music Hall and becomes a burlesque theater. At the time, it was a white's only theater.

1933

The Theater attracts the attention of Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor, who starts a campaign against burlesques. He eventually gets the Apollo Theater shut down.

1934

The 125th st Apollo Theater is opened by Signey Cohen Who was president of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of America. However, he sells it a year leater in 1935. African American residents are now allowed in the theater and Ella Fitzgerald appears in the theater's Ameteur Night (which they still host today).

1965

Multiple performers have appeared on the stage such as: Diana Ross, the Temptations, Little Stevie Wonder, and the Beatles. However, in 1965, riots start in Harlem, impacting surrounding buisnesses but allowing the theater to be unscathed.

1969

The Jackson Five plays at and wins Ameuatur Night at the Apollo

1971

Aretha Franklin performs at the Apollo

1977

The Apollo Theater closes and transitions to a movie theater. However, it shuts down in 1978.

1981

The Apollo Theater is purchased by Percy zsutton's Inner City Broadcasting Coorporation and he opens the theater up to new investors which is why there is a list of companies on the Apollo mirror at the enterance.

1991

The Apollo Theater Foundations, Inc is opened to manage the Apollo Theater. The next year, Ralph Cooper, the host of Ameatur Night, passes away.

2002

The Apollo Theater is renovated and so it shuts doewn and reopens on March 30th.