We won the league, had a train named after the football team, and had a royal visit.
There was a new promenade for Mowbray Park, the opening of a new airport building and that’s just the start of the events of 1936.
Why not take a look for yourself with these highlights from the Sunderland Echo archives.
1. BLACK/WHITE IMAGE OF ENGINE NAMED AFTER SUNDERLAND FOOTBALL TEAM 1936 OLD REF NUMBER 3-388 SUNDERLAND ENGINE SUNDERLAND TRAIN steam train locomotive
The happy scene as Sunderland's football team has a steam train locomotive named after it. Photo: Sunderland Echo
2. A big day for the baths
It was the summer of 1936 when the Newcastle Road baths opened. They served the people of Sunderland for decades. Photo: Sunderland Echo
3. A historic moment
The Town Clerk of Sunderland, Mr G S McIntire, is pictured reading the Royal Proclamation of Edward VIII at Sunderland Town Hall. Photo: Sunderland Echo
4. A dramatic night scene
Mowbray Park's new promenade is pictured in April 1936. Photo: Sunderland Echo