Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vows To Protect Chennai’s Heritage
Chennai celebrates Madras Day every year.
The celebration remembers the city’s founding in 1639.
That year, the East India Company bought land to build Fort St George.
Fort St George later remained an important seat of power.
This year, the city held several events.
One event was a photo exhibition at the Anna Centenary Library.
The photographs showed important buildings and parts of Chennai’s history.
The celebration grew from one day in 2004 into a week of talks, exhibitions and heritage walks.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wished residents a Happy Madras Day during Chennai’s 387th founding-day celebrations.
A week-long heritage photo exhibition opened at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.
The exhibition featured photographs of Fort St George, the Ripon Building and the Madras High Court.
Ministers A Rajmohan and S Rajeshkumar said photographs help preserve and teach Chennai’s history and heritage.
Madras Day began in 2004 and commemorates the East India Company’s 1639 land purchase for Fort St George.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, state ministers A Rajmohan and S Rajeshkumar, and Chennai residents and heritage enthusiasts.
- What
- Chennai celebrated its 387th founding day with Madras Day events, including a heritage photo exhibition.
- When
- Madras Day is observed annually; the city’s founding is commemorated from 1639, and the exhibition was week-long.
- Where
- Chennai, including the Anna Centenary Library.
- Why
- To commemorate the city’s founding and protect and educate people about its historic and cultural heritage.
- Event
- Madras Day and the expanded Madras Week celebration
- City
- Chennai, historically known as Madras
- Founding date commemorated
- 1639
- Current anniversary
- 387th founding day
- Exhibition venue
- Anna Centenary Library
- Featured landmarks
- Fort St George, the Ripon Building and the Madras High Court
- Celebration history
- Madras Day has been observed annually since 2004 and later became a week-long celebration