Madras Day is celebrated to commemorate the founding of the city of Madras in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on August 22 every year as it is believed that the village of Madraspatnam or Chennapatnam was purchased on August 22, 1639. After acquiring land, the British built a fortified factory that was named on St. George's day April 23, 1640, as Fort St. George. The East India Company then began to acquire villages around the fort. For a brief period, after a conflict between 1746-49, Fort St. George fell into the possession of the French. It was later restored to the British after a peace treaty. British signed the agreement papers at Chandragiri fort, now in Andhra Pradesh.

This year marks the 379th birthday of the city. The day was commemorated by establishing Fort St George on a small piece of land acquired from the last King of Chandragiri in 1639 by the British East India Company. It was rechristened to Chennai in 1996, the capital of Tamil Nadu in which today resides more than four million people. Madras Day celebrates the city's history, traditions and culture.

Madras Day was an idea brought up three people including S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and publisher Vincent D'Souza in 2004. They were later joined by three others – senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, journalist and website entrepreneur Revathi R and entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram.

Madras Day celebrations are held every year called the Madras Week. It started off as a half-a-day event 11 years ago and has now grown to be known as 'Madras month' with different events planned throughout the month of August.

Madras Week festivities are held from August 9 to August 26, 2018. The events include a bicycle ride, contests, exhibitions, food walks, Heritage walks and tours, nature walks, photo walks, public Talks & Conversations, quiz, shows & performances, workshops, etc. Check updates on their events here.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2018 08:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).