The timeline

Every dated fact in the handbook in one place, grouped by era and tiered so the dates that decide the test stand out from the ones that don't.

Dates are the most heavily tested material in the book, and the ones that catch people out are near-twins that live in different chapters and are never shown side by side.

357 entries · Core: learn this or risk failing · Useful: worth a look · Context: read once, don’t memorise

Early Britain

  1. About 50 million years agoThe Giant's Causeway, on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland, was formed; it is a land formation of columns made from volcanic lava.ContextPlaces of interest
  2. About 10,000 years agoBritain became permanently separated from the continent by the Channel, having been joined to it by a land bridge for much of the Stone Age.UsefulEarly Britain
  3. 6,000 years agoThe first farmers arrived in Britain, and their ancestors probably came from south-east Europe.UsefulEarly Britain
  4. Around 4,000 years agoPeople learned to make bronze; in the Bronze Age they lived in roundhouses and buried their dead in tombs called round barrows.UsefulEarly Britain
  5. The Iron AgePeople made the first coins to be minted in Britain, some inscribed with the names of Iron Age kings, and this marks the beginning of British history.UsefulEarly Britain
  6. 55 BCJulius Caesar led a Roman invasion of Britain which was unsuccessful, and for nearly 100 years afterwards Britain remained separate from the Roman Empire.CoreEarly Britain
  7. AD 43The Emperor Claudius led a new invasion, and the Romans successfully occupied almost all of Britain.CoreEarly Britain
  8. 400 yearsThe Romans remained in Britain that long, building roads and public buildings, creating a structure of law and introducing new plants and animals.UsefulEarly Britain
  9. Roman timesThere is evidence of horse racing in Britain as far back as this, and the sport has a long association with royalty.ContextSport
  10. The 3rd and 4th centuries ADThe first Christian communities began to appear in Britain.UsefulEarly Britain
  11. AD 410The Roman army left Britain to defend other parts of the Roman Empire, and never returned.CoreEarly Britain
  12. About AD 600Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were established in Britain, mainly in what is now England.UsefulEarly Britain
  13. AD 789The Vikings first visited Britain to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves, and later stayed to form communities in the east of England and Scotland.CoreEarly Britain
  14. 1066William, the Duke of Normandy, defeated Harold, the Saxon king of England, at the Battle of Hastings, where Harold was killed; it was the last successful foreign invasion of England.CoreEarly Britain
  15. 1066The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king.UsefulPlaces of interest

The Middle Ages

  1. AD 476-1485The Middle Ages, or medieval period, broadly spans the thousand years from the end of the Roman Empire, and was a time of almost constant war.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  2. The Middle AgesMost art had a religious theme, particularly wall paintings in churches and illustrations in religious books, and much of it was lost after the Protestant Reformation.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  3. The Middle AgesGreat cathedrals and churches were built, including those at Durham, Lincoln, Canterbury and Salisbury.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  4. By 1200The English ruled an area of Ireland around Dublin known as the Pale, and some important lords elsewhere in Ireland accepted the authority of the English king.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  5. 1215King John was forced by his noblemen to agree to a charter of rights called Magna Carta, which established that even the king was subject to the law.CoreEasily confused with 1689The Middle Ages
  6. 1284King Edward I of England introduced the Statute of Rhuddlan, which annexed Wales to the Crown of England.CoreThe Middle Ages
  7. 1314The Scottish, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn, and Scotland remained unconquered by the English.CoreThe Middle Ages
  8. 1348A disease probably a form of plague, and known as the Black Death, came to Britain and killed one third of the population of England.CoreThe Middle Ages
  9. The years leading up to 1400Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, poems in English about a group of people going to Canterbury on a pilgrimage and telling each other stories on the journey.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  10. By 1400Official documents in England were being written in English, which had become the preferred language of the royal court and Parliament.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  11. 1415King Henry V's vastly outnumbered English army defeated the French at the Battle of Agincourt.CoreThe Middle Ages
  12. 116 yearsThe Hundred Years War against France actually lasted this long, rather than the hundred its name claims.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  13. The 15th centuryThe modern game of golf can be traced back to Scotland at this time, and St Andrews is known as the home of golf.UsefulSport
  14. The middle of the 15th centuryThe last Welsh rebellions had been defeated, and English laws and the English language were introduced.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  15. The 1450sThe English largely left France.UsefulThe Middle Ages
  16. 1455A civil war began to decide who should be king of England, fought between the supporters of the House of Lancaster and the House of York and called the Wars of the Roses after their red and white rose symbols.CoreThe Middle Ages
  17. 1485The Wars of the Roses ended with the Battle of Bosworth Field, at which King Richard III was killed; Henry Tudor became King Henry VII, the first king of the House of Tudor.CoreThe Middle Ages

The Tudors and Stuarts

  1. The 1530sThe Church of England, a Protestant Church, has existed since the Reformation at this time.CoreReligion
  2. The 16th centuryProtestant ideas gradually gained strength in England, Wales and Scotland.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  3. 1560The predominantly Protestant Scottish Parliament abolished the authority of the Pope in Scotland and made Roman Catholic religious services illegal.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  4. 1564-1616William Shakespeare, born in Stratford-upon-Avon, was a playwright and actor who invented many words still common in English today.ContextThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  5. 1588The English defeated the Spanish Armada, a large fleet sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  6. The 16th and 17th centuriesMany of the painters working in Britain were from abroad, for example Hans Holbein and Sir Anthony Van Dyck.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  7. 1600-2017The population of the UK grew from just over 4 million to 5 million in 1700, 8 million in 1801, 20 million in 1851, 40 million in 1901, 50 million in 1951, 57 million in 1998, just under 60 million in 2005, just over 62 million in 2010 and just over 66 million in 2017.UsefulThe UK today / Cities of the UK
  8. 1603When Elizabeth I died her heir was James VI of Scotland, who became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland, but Scotland remained a separate country.CoreEasily confused with 1707The Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  9. 1605A group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament, and Bonfire Night originates from this.CoreCustoms and traditions
  10. 1606The first Union Flag was created from the flags of Scotland and England; the Welsh dragon does not appear on it because the Principality of Wales was already united with England.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  11. The 17th centuryInigo Jones took inspiration from classical architecture to design the Queen's House at Greenwich and the Banqueting House in Whitehall in London.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  12. For 11 yearsCharles I found ways to raise money without Parliament's approval, until trouble in Scotland meant he had to recall Parliament.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 1)
  13. 1640Charles I recalled Parliament to ask it for funds, but it refused to give him the money he asked for; many in that Parliament were Puritans.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  14. 1641A rebellion began in Ireland because the Roman Catholics there were afraid of the growing power of the Puritans.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  15. 1642Civil war began between the king and Parliament; supporters of the king were called the Cavaliers and supporters of Parliament the Roundheads.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  16. 1643-1727Sir Isaac Newton, born in Lincolnshire, showed how gravity applied to the whole universe in Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica and discovered that white light is made up of the colours of the rainbow.ContextThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  17. By 1646It was clear that Parliament had won the war, and Charles I was held prisoner by the parliamentary army.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  18. 1649Charles I was executed, and England declared itself a republic called the Commonwealth with no monarch.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  19. 1656The first Jews to come to Britain since the Middle Ages settled in London.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  20. 1658Oliver Cromwell, recognised as leader of the new republic and given the title of Lord Protector, ruled until his death in this year.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  21. 11 yearsBritain was a republic for this long, but without Oliver Cromwell there was no clear leader or system of government and people began to talk about the need for a king.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  22. 1659-95Henry Purcell was the organist at Westminster Abbey and wrote church music, operas and other pieces, developing a British style distinct from that elsewhere in Europe.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  23. May 1660Parliament invited Charles II to come back from exile in the Netherlands, and he was crowned king of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  24. 1665There was a major outbreak of plague in London, in which thousands died, especially in poorer areas.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  25. 1666A great fire destroyed much of London, including many churches and St Paul's Cathedral; Samuel Pepys wrote about it in his diary.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  26. Later in the 17th centurySir Christopher Wren helped develop a British version of the ornate styles popular in Europe, in buildings such as the new St Paul's Cathedral.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  27. 1679The Habeas Corpus Act became law, guaranteeing that no one could be held prisoner unlawfully and that every prisoner has a right to a court hearing.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  28. 1680-1720Many refugees called Huguenots, Protestants who had been persecuted for their religion, came to Britain from France.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  29. 1685Charles II died with no legitimate children, and his Roman Catholic brother James became King James II in England, Wales and Ireland and King James VII of Scotland.UsefulThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  30. 1685-1759The German-born composer George Frederick Handel spent many years in the UK, writing the Water Music for King George I, Music for the Royal Fireworks for George II and the oratorio Messiah.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  31. 1688Important Protestants in England asked William of Orange to invade England and proclaim himself king; James II fled to France and William took the throne, ruling jointly with Mary in what became known as the Glorious Revolution.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  32. 1689The Bill of Rights confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of the king's power, and Parliament took control of who could be monarch.CoreEasily confused with 1215A global power (part 1)
  33. 1690William defeated James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, an event still celebrated by some in Northern Ireland today.CoreThe Tudors and Stuarts (part 2)
  34. From 1695Newspapers were allowed to operate without a government licence, and increasing numbers began to be published.UsefulA global power (part 1)

A global power

  1. The 18th centuryNew ideas about politics, philosophy and science developed in what is often called the Enlightenment; many of its great thinkers were Scottish, including Adam Smith, David Hume and James Watt.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  2. The 18th centurySimpler architectural designs became popular, and the Scottish architect Robert Adam influenced the development of architecture in the UK, Europe and America.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  3. The 18th centuryLancelot 'Capability' Brown designed the grounds around country houses so that the landscape appeared natural, with grass, trees and lakes.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  4. The 18th centuryThomas Chippendale designed furniture.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  5. The 18th centuryPolitical cartoons attacking prominent politicians, and sometimes the monarch or other members of the Royal Family, became increasingly popular.ContextLeisure
  6. The 18th and 19th centuriesThe Industrial Revolution was the rapid development of industry in Britain, driven by machinery and steam power; Britain was the first country to industrialise on a large scale.CoreA global power (part 1)
  7. 1707The Act of Union, known as the Treaty of Union in Scotland, created the Kingdom of Great Britain; Scotland was no longer an independent country but kept its own legal and education systems and its Presbyterian Church.CoreEasily confused with 1603Easily confused with 1801A global power (part 1)
  8. 1714Queen Anne died, and Parliament chose a German, George I, to be the next king because he was Anne's nearest Protestant relative.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  9. 1721 to 1742Sir Robert Walpole held office as the first man to be called Prime Minister.CoreA global power (part 1)
  10. 1727The German-born composer George Frederick Handel became a British citizen.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  11. 1727-88Thomas Gainsborough was a portrait painter who often painted people in country or garden scenery.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  12. 1732-92Richard Arkwright improved the original carding machine, developed horse-driven spinning mills and later used the steam engine to power machinery, and is particularly remembered for the efficient and profitable way that he ran his factories.ContextA global power (part 1)
  13. 1744-96David Allan was a Scottish painter best known for painting portraits; one of his most famous works is The Origin of Painting.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  14. 1745Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, landed in Scotland and raised an army in an attempt to put a Stuart king back on the throne.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  15. 1746Charles Edward Stuart was defeated by George II's army at the Battle of Culloden and escaped back to Europe; after it the clans lost a lot of their power and influence.CoreA global power (part 1)
  16. 1757-1827William Blake wrote The Tyger.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  17. 1759-96Robert Burns, known in Scotland as The Bard, was a Scottish poet whose best-known work is probably the song Auld Lang Syne.ContextA global power (part 1)
  18. 1759-1851Sake Dean Mahomet grew up in the Bengal region of India, served in the Bengal army and came to Britain in 1782; he and his wife introduced shampooing, the Indian art of head massage, to Britain.ContextA global power (part 1)
  19. The late 1700sThe first formal anti-slavery groups were set up by the Quakers, who petitioned Parliament to ban the practice.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  20. 1770-1850William Wordsworth wrote The Daffodils and was among the poets inspired by nature.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  21. 1775-1817Jane Austen was an English novelist whose books, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, are concerned with marriage and family relationships.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  22. 1775-1851Joseph Turner was an influential landscape painter in a modern style, considered the artist who raised the profile of landscape painting.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  23. 1776Thirteen American colonies declared their independence, stating that people had a right to establish their own governments.CoreA global power (part 2)
  24. 1776-1837John Constable was a landscape painter most famous for his works of Dedham Vale on the Suffolk-Essex border in the east of England.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  25. 1782Sake Dean Mahomet came to Britain, and in 1810 opened the Hindoostane Coffee House in George Street, London, the first curry house to open in Britain.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  26. 1783Britain recognised the independence of the American colonies, which had defeated the British army.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  27. 1788-1824Lord Byron wrote She Walks in Beauty.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  28. 1789There was a revolution in France, and the new French government soon declared war on Britain.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  29. At the turn of the 19th centuryOnly men over 21 who owned a certain amount of property could vote in elections to Parliament.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  30. The early 19th centuryEvictions became very common in the Highland Clearances, in which many Scottish landlords destroyed the small farms known as crofts to make space for large flocks of sheep and cattle, and many Scottish people left for North America.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  31. The early 19th centuryRugby originated in England; there are two types, union and league, which have different rules.UsefulSport
  32. The 19th centuryBritish industry led the world, and the UK produced more than half of the world's iron, coal and cotton cloth as well as becoming a centre for financial services.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  33. The 19th centuryThe medieval 'gothic' style became popular again, and many great public buildings were built in it, including the Houses of Parliament and St Pancras Station.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  34. The 19th centuryGilbert and Sullivan wrote comic operas, often making fun of popular culture and politics, including HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  35. 1801Ireland became unified with England, Scotland and Wales after the Act of Union of 1800, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.CoreEasily confused with 1707A global power (part 2)
  36. 1805Britain's navy defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar; Admiral Nelson was in charge of the British fleet and was killed in the battle.CoreA global power (part 2)
  37. 1806-59Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an engineer originally from Portsmouth, built tunnels, bridges, railway lines and ships, and was responsible for constructing the Great Western Railway, the first major railway built in Britain.ContextA global power (part 2)
  38. 1807It became illegal to trade slaves in British ships or from British ports.CoreA global power (part 2)
  39. 1812-70Charles Dickens wrote very famous novels including Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, and characters from his books are referred to in everyday talk.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  40. 1812-89Robert Browning wrote Home Thoughts from Abroad.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  41. 1815The French Wars ended with the defeat of the Emperor Napoleon by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.CoreA global power (part 2)
  42. The 1830s and 1840sA group called the Chartists campaigned for reform, wanting six changes including the vote for every man, secret ballots and payment for MPs.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  43. 1832The Reform Act greatly increased the number of people with the right to vote, abolished the old pocket and rotten boroughs and gave more parliamentary seats to the towns and cities.CoreA global power (part 3)
  44. 1833The Emancipation Act abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.CoreA global power (part 2)
  45. After 1833Two million Indian and Chinese workers were employed to replace the freed slaves, working on sugar plantations in the Caribbean, in mines in South Africa, on railways in East Africa and in the army in Kenya.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  46. 1837-1901Queen Victoria became queen of the UK at the age of 18 and reigned for almost 64 years, a period known as the Victorian Age in which Britain increased in power and influence abroad.CoreA global power (part 2)
  47. 1840-1928Thomas Hardy was an author and poet whose best-known novels focus on rural society and include Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  48. The 1840sPunch, the most famous of the satirical magazines that began to be published in the 19th century, was first published.ContextLeisure
  49. 1846The Corn Laws, which had prevented the import of cheap grain, were repealed, helping British industry by making raw materials cheaper to import.CoreA global power (part 2)
  50. 1847The number of hours that women and children could work was limited by law to 10 hours per day.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  51. The middle of the 19th centuryThe potato crop failed and Ireland suffered a famine, in which a million people died from disease and starvation and another million and a half left the country.CoreA global power (part 3)
  52. The second half of the 19th centuryThe Pre-Raphaelites, an important group of artists including Holman Hunt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Sir John Millais, painted detailed pictures on religious or literary themes in bright colours.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  53. 1850-94Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  54. 1851The Great Exhibition opened in Hyde Park in the Crystal Palace, a huge building made of iron and glass, showing exhibits ranging from huge machines to handmade goods.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  55. 1853 to 1856Britain fought with Turkey and France against Russia in the Crimean War, the first war to be extensively covered by the media, during which Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross medal.CoreA global power (part 2)
  56. 1853-1913As many as 13 million British citizens left the country to settle overseas.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  57. 1854Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), born in Italy to English parents, went to Turkey and worked in military hospitals treating soldiers fighting in the Crimean War, improving conditions and reducing the mortality rate.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  58. 1856-1941Sir John Lavery was a very successful Northern Irish portrait painter whose work included painting the Royal Family.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  59. 1857-1934Sir Edward Elgar was born in Worcester, England, and his best-known work is probably the Pomp and Circumstance Marches.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  60. 1859-1930Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a Scottish doctor and writer, best known for his stories about Sherlock Holmes, one of the first fictional detectives.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  61. 1860Florence Nightingale established the Nightingale Training School for nurses at St Thomas' Hospital in London, the first school of its kind, and is often regarded as the founder of modern nursing.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  62. By 1861There were large populations of Irish people in cities such as Liverpool, London, Manchester and Glasgow.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  63. 1867Another Reform Act created many more urban seats in Parliament and reduced the amount of property people needed before they could vote, though the majority of men still could not vote and no women could.CoreA global power (part 3)
  64. Until 1870When a woman got married, her earnings, property and money automatically belonged to her husband.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  65. 1870 and 1882Acts of Parliament gave wives the right to keep their own earnings and property.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  66. 1870 to 1914Around 120,000 Russian and Polish Jews came to Britain to escape persecution, many settling in London's East End and in Manchester and Leeds.UsefulA global power (part 2)
  67. 1872-1958Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote music for orchestras and choirs and was strongly influenced by traditional English folk music.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  68. 1874-1934Gustav Holst wrote The Planets, a suite of pieces themed around the planets of the solar system, and adapted Jupiter as the tune for I vow to thee my country.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  69. 1876-1935The Scottish physician and researcher John Macleod was the co-discoverer of insulin, used to treat diabetes.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  70. The late 19th centuryThe first professional football clubs were formed; football is the UK's most popular sport.UsefulSport
  71. The late 19th centuryModern tennis evolved in England, and the first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872.UsefulSport
  72. 1889Emmeline Pankhurst set up the Women's Franchise League, which fought to get the vote in local elections for married women.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  73. 1893-1918Wilfred Owen wrote Anthem for Doomed Youth and was among the poets inspired to write about their experiences in the First World War.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  74. 1895The National Trust was founded by three volunteers; more than 61,000 volunteers now help to keep it running.UsefulPlaces of interest
  75. 1896Films were first shown publicly in the UK.UsefulLeisure
  76. 1898-1986Henry Moore was an English sculptor and artist best known for his large bronze abstract sculptures.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  77. 1899 to 1902The British fought in South Africa against settlers from the Netherlands called the Boers in the Boer War, which made discussions about the future of the Empire more urgent.CoreA global power (part 3)

The 20th century to 1945

  1. The early 20th centuryBritain, with its expansive Empire, well-admired navy, thriving industry and strong political institutions, was what is now known as a global 'superpower'.UsefulThe 20th century
  2. The early 20th centurySocial measures introduced included financial help for the unemployed, old-age pensions and free school meals, and a salary for members of Parliament was introduced for the first time.UsefulThe 20th century
  3. The 20th centurySir Edwin Lutyens had an influence throughout the British Empire and designed New Delhi to be the seat of government in India.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  4. The 20th centurySir Terence Conran was an interior designer.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  5. 1900Winston Churchill, a soldier and journalist, became a Conservative MP.ContextThe 20th century
  6. 1902Motor-car racing started in the UK, which continues to be a world leader in the development and manufacture of motor-sport technology.UsefulSport
  7. 1902-83Sir William Walton wrote a wide range of music, from film scores to opera, including marches for the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  8. 1903Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928), born in Manchester, helped found the Women's Social and Political Union, the first group whose members were called 'suffragettes' and which used civil disobedience.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  9. 1903-66Evelyn Waugh wrote satirical novels including Decline and Fall and Scoop, and is perhaps best known for Brideshead Revisited.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  10. 1904-91Graham Greene wrote novels often influenced by his religious beliefs, including The Heart of the Matter, Brighton Rock and Our Man in Havana.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  11. 1907Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), born in India, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature; his books include the Just So Stories and The Jungle Book.ContextA global power (part 3)
  12. 1908, 1948 and 2012The UK has hosted the Olympic Games on these three occasions.UsefulSport
  13. 1913The British government promised 'Home Rule' for Ireland, a self-governing Ireland with its own parliament but still part of the UK, which the Protestants in the north opposed.UsefulThe 20th century
  14. 1913-76Benjamin Britten is best known for his operas, which include Peter Grimes and Billy Budd, and he founded the Aldeburgh festival in Suffolk.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  15. 1913-2012Working with radar led Sir Bernard Lovell to make new discoveries in astronomy, and the radio telescope he built at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire was for many years the biggest in the world.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  16. 28 June 1914Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, setting off the chain of events that led to the First World War.CoreThe 20th century
  17. 1914 to 1918The First World War was fought, with more than 2 million British casualties; more than a million Indians fought on behalf of Britain and around 40,000 of them were killed.CoreThe 20th century
  18. 1914-91John Petts was a Welsh artist best known for his engravings and stained glass.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  19. 1916Irish Nationalists staged an uprising against the British in Dublin, the Easter Rising, and its leaders were executed under military law.CoreThe 20th century
  20. July 1916The British attack on the Somme resulted in about 60,000 British casualties on the first day alone.CoreThe 20th century
  21. 11.00 am on 11 November 1918The First World War ended with victory for Britain and its allies.CoreThe 20th century
  22. 1918Women over the age of 30 were given voting rights and the right to stand for Parliament, partly in recognition of the contribution women made to the war effort during the First World War.CoreEasily confused with 1928A global power (part 3)
  23. By 1918Most of the Chartists' six reforms had been adopted, though their campaign was generally seen as a failure at the time.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  24. After the First World WarSir Edwin Lutyens was responsible for many war memorials throughout the world, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  25. The 1920sMany people's living conditions got better, with improvements in public housing and new homes built in many towns and cities.UsefulThe 20th century
  26. The 1920sThe television was developed by the Scotsman John Logie Baird (1888-1946).UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  27. Until the 1920sThe British Empire continued to grow, though its future direction was already being discussed in the late 19th century.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  28. 1921A peace treaty was signed, following the guerrilla war against the British army and the police in Ireland.UsefulThe 20th century
  29. 1922Ireland became two countries: the six mainly Protestant counties in the north remained part of the UK as Northern Ireland, and the rest became the Irish Free State with its own government.CoreThe 20th century
  30. 1922A Northern Ireland Parliament was established when Ireland was divided.UsefulThe government (part 1)
  31. 1922The BBC started radio broadcasts.UsefulThe 20th century
  32. 1922-95Sir Kingsley Amis was an English novelist and poet who wrote more than 20 novels, the most well known being Lucky Jim.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  33. 1922-2011Lucian Freud was a German-born British artist best known for his portraits.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  34. 1923Richard Austen (R A) Butler (1902-82), later Lord Butler, became a Conservative MP.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  35. Since 1927The Proms, an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music held in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, has been organised by the BBC.UsefulArts and culture (part 1)
  36. 1928Women were given the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men, shortly before Emmeline Pankhurst's death.CoreEasily confused with 1918A global power (part 3)
  37. 1928Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin while researching influenza.CoreThe 20th century
  38. 1929The world entered the 'Great Depression' and some parts of the UK suffered mass unemployment.UsefulThe 20th century
  39. Between 1930 and 1939Car ownership doubled from 1 million to 2 million.UsefulThe 20th century
  40. The 1930sTraditional heavy industries such as shipbuilding were badly affected by the depression, while new industries including the automobile and aviation industries developed.UsefulThe 20th century
  41. The 1930sThere was a cultural blossoming, with writers such as Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh prominent and the economist John Maynard Keynes publishing influential new theories of economics.ContextThe 20th century
  42. The 1930sBritish film studios flourished, and eminent directors included Sir Alexander Korda and Sir Alfred Hitchcock.ContextLeisure
  43. The 1930sThe jet engine was developed in Britain by Sir Frank Whittle (1907-96), a British Royal Air Force engineer officer.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  44. The 1930sThe British mathematician Alan Turing (1912-54) invented the Turing machine, a theoretical mathematical device whose theory was influential in the development of computer science and the modern-day computer.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  45. 1932John Logie Baird made the first television broadcast between London and Glasgow.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  46. 1933Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany, believing the conditions imposed on Germany after the First World War were unfair and wanting to conquer more land.UsefulThe 20th century
  47. 1933-, 1935- and 1950-2016Modern British architects whose firms work on major projects worldwide include Lord (Richard) Rogers, Sir Norman Foster and Dame Zaha Hadid.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  48. 1933-2017The British scientist Sir Peter Mansfield is the co-inventor of the MRI scanner, which enables doctors to obtain exact and non-invasive images of human internal organs.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  49. 1935The first successful radar test took place; radar was developed by the Scotsman Sir Robert Watson-Watt (1892-1973), who proposed that enemy aircraft could be detected by radio waves.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  50. 1935The 39 Steps was directed by Sir Alfred Hitchcock.ContextLeisure
  51. 1936The BBC began the world's first regular television service.UsefulThe 20th century
  52. 1939Hitler invaded Poland, and Britain and France declared war in order to stop his aggression.CoreThe 20th century
  53. 1939-Sir Jackie Stewart, a Scottish former racing driver, won the Formula 1 world championship three times.ContextSport
  54. The Second World WarBritish movies such as In Which We Serve played an important part in boosting morale.ContextLeisure
  55. 1940German forces defeated allied troops and advanced through France, and civilian volunteers in small pleasure and fishing boats helped the Navy to rescue more than 300,000 men from the beaches around Dunkirk.CoreThe 20th century
  56. May 1940Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Britain's war leader, and refused to surrender to the Nazis.CoreThe 20th century
  57. The summer of 1940The British won the crucial aerial battle against the Germans, the Battle of Britain, in which the most important planes used by the Royal Air Force were the Spitfire and the Hurricane.CoreThe 20th century
  58. From the end of June 1940 until June 1941Britain and the Empire stood almost alone against Nazi Germany, until the German invasion of the Soviet Union.UsefulThe 20th century
  59. 1941Hitler attempted the largest invasion in history by attacking the Soviet Union, and German forces were repelled by the Soviets, which proved a pivotal point in the war.UsefulThe 20th century
  60. December 1941The United States entered the war, when the Japanese bombed its naval base at Pearl Harbour.UsefulThe 20th century
  61. 1941R A Butler became responsible for education in the wartime government.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  62. 1942William Beveridge (1879-1963) published the report Social Insurance and Allied Services, known as the Beveridge Report, which recommended fighting the five 'Giant Evils' of Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness and provided the basis of the modern welfare state.CoreEasily confused with 1948Britain since 1945 (part 1)
  63. 6 June 1944Allied forces landed in Normandy, an event often referred to as 'D-Day'.CoreThe 20th century
  64. 1944The Education Act 1944, often called 'The Butler Act', introduced free secondary education in England and Wales, and the division it enforced between primary and secondary schools still remains in most areas of Britain.CoreBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  65. By the 1940sPenicillin, developed into a usable drug by the scientists Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, was in mass production.UsefulThe 20th century
  66. The 1940sRoald Dahl (1916-90), born in Wales to Norwegian parents, began to publish books and short stories; his best-known works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  67. The 1940s and 1950sMorecambe and Wise were among those who performed in the music halls and became stars of television.ContextLeisure
  68. May 1945The Allies comprehensively defeated Germany.CoreThe 20th century
  69. August 1945The war against Japan ended when the United States dropped atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.CoreThe 20th century
  70. 1945Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) won the Nobel Prize in Medicine, and penicillin is still used to treat bacterial infections today.ContextThe 20th century

Britain since 1945

  1. 1945The British people elected a Labour government and Clement Attlee became Prime Minister, promising to introduce the welfare state outlined in the Beveridge Report.CoreBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  2. 1945 to 1951Clement Attlee (1883-1967) was Prime Minister; his government took into public ownership the railways, the coal mines and the gas, water and electricity supplies, and he led the Labour Party for 20 years.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  3. 1945 and 1951Winston Churchill lost the General Election in the first of those years but returned as Prime Minister in the second.UsefulThe 20th century
  4. 1945Brief Encounter was directed by Sir David Lean.ContextLeisure
  5. 1947Independence was granted to nine countries, including India, Pakistan and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  6. 1948Aneurin (Nye) Bevan, the Minister for Health, led the establishment of the National Health Service, which guaranteed a minimum standard of health care for all, free at the point of use.CoreEasily confused with 1942Britain since 1945 (part 1)
  7. 1948People from the West Indies were invited to come and work in Britain, to help with labour shortages after the Second World War.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  8. 1949The Irish Free State became a republic.UsefulThe 20th century
  9. 1949The Third Man was directed by Carol Reed.ContextLeisure
  10. 1950The UK was one of the first countries to sign the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which British diplomats and lawyers had an important role in drafting.UsefulFundamental principles
  11. The second half of the 20th centuryThere was, for the most part, an orderly transition from Empire to Commonwealth, with countries being granted their independence.UsefulA global power (part 3)
  12. 1951 to 1964Britain had a Conservative government, and the 1950s were a period of economic recovery after the war and increasing prosperity for working people.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  13. The 1950sThere was still a shortage of labour, so further immigration was encouraged for economic reasons and many industries advertised for workers from overseas.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  14. The 1950sSir Christopher Cockerell (1910-99) invented the hovercraft.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  15. The 1950s and 1960sThese were a high point for British comedies, including Passport to Pimlico, The Ladykillers and, later, the Carry On films.ContextLeisure
  16. 1952The Queen has reigned since her father's death in this year.CoreThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  17. Since 1952The Mousetrap, a murder-mystery play by Dame Agatha Christie, has been running in the West End and has had the longest initial run of any show in history.UsefulArts and culture (part 1)
  18. 1952Dylan Thomas wrote the poem Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night for his dying father.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  19. 1953The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered through work at British universities in London and Cambridge; Francis Crick (1916-2004), one of those awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery, was British.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  20. 1954Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018) became the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes.UsefulSport
  21. 1954Dylan Thomas's radio play Under Milk Wood was first performed, after the death of the Welsh poet and writer at the age of 39 in New York.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  22. 1954The Belles of St Trinian's was directed by Frank Launder.ContextLeisure
  23. 1955-Sir Ian Botham captained the English cricket team and held a number of English Test cricket records for both batting and bowling.ContextSport
  24. 1957West Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands formed the European Economic Community (EEC).CoreBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  25. Until 1958All peers were hereditary, senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England; since then the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime, known as life peers.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  26. 1959Margaret Thatcher was elected as a Conservative MP.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  27. The 1960sThis was a period of significant social change known as 'the Swinging Sixties', with growth in British fashion, cinema and popular music, and people started to become better off and many bought cars and other consumer goods.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  28. The 1960sSocial laws were liberalised, for example in relation to divorce and to abortion in England, Wales and Scotland, and Parliament passed new laws giving women the right to equal pay and making it illegal for employers to discriminate against women because of their gender.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  29. Since the 1960sBritish pop music has made one of the most important cultural contributions to life in the UK, and bands including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones continue to have an influence here and abroad.UsefulArts and culture (part 1)
  30. The 1960sDavid Hockney (1937-) was an important contributor to the 'pop art' movement and continues to be influential today.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  31. The 1960sThat Was The Week That Was was among the satirical television shows of the time.ContextLeisure
  32. 1962Lawrence of Arabia was directed by Sir David Lean.ContextLeisure
  33. 1962-Sir Steve Redgrave won gold medals in rowing at five consecutive Olympic Games and is one of Britain's greatest Olympians.ContextSport
  34. 1964 and 1965Winston Churchill stood down as an MP at the General Election in the first of those years, and following his death in the second he was given a state funeral.ContextThe 20th century
  35. 1965-J K Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series of children's books and now writes fiction for adults as well.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  36. 1966Bobby Moore (1941-93) captained the English football team that won the World Cup, hosted in the UK and England's only international tournament victory.UsefulSport
  37. 1966/67Sir Francis Chichester became the first person to sail single-handed around the world, passing the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn; two years later Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first to do so without stopping.UsefulSport
  38. 1967The first cash-dispensing ATM or 'cashpoint', invented in the 1960s by James Goodfellow (1937-), was put into use by Barclays Bank in Enfield, north London.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  39. Since 1968The Man Booker Prize for Fiction has been awarded annually for the best fiction novel written by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  40. 1969The voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.CoreThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  41. In the decades after 1969Some 3,000 people lost their lives in the violence in Northern Ireland.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  42. 1969, 1976 and 2003Concorde, the supersonic commercial airliner developed by Britain and France, first flew, began carrying passengers and was retired from service.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  43. 1969Monty Python's Flying Circus introduced a new type of progressive comedy.ContextLeisure
  44. 1969Women in Love was directed by Ken Russell.ContextLeisure
  45. 1969-Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, an athlete who uses a wheelchair, won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold, over five Paralympic Games, won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records.ContextSport
  46. The late 1960sThe number of people migrating from the West Indies, India, Pakistan and what is now Bangladesh fell because the government passed new laws to restrict immigration.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  47. 1970Margaret Thatcher became a cabinet minister as the Secretary of State for Education and Science.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  48. The early 1970sBritain admitted 28,000 people of Indian origin who had been forced to leave Uganda.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  49. 1972The Northern Ireland Parliament was suspended and Northern Ireland was directly ruled by the UK government.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  50. 1972Mary Peters (1939-), born in Manchester and brought up in Northern Ireland, won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  51. 1973Don't Look Now was directed by Nicolas Roeg.ContextLeisure
  52. 1975Margaret Thatcher was elected as Leader of the Conservative Party and so became Leader of the Opposition.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  53. 1976-Sir Chris Hoy, a Scottish cyclist, has won six gold and one silver Olympic medals and 11 world championship titles.ContextSport
  54. The late 1970sThe post-war economic boom came to an end, prices rose sharply, the exchange rate was unstable and many industries and services were affected by strikes.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  55. The late 1970sThe Punk movement continued British pop music's tradition of innovation.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  56. 1978The world's first 'test-tube baby' was born in Oldham, Lancashire, following IVF therapy pioneered in Britain by Sir Robert Edwards (1925-2013) and Patrick Steptoe (1913-88).UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  57. 1979-David Weir is a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair, has won six gold medals over two Paralympic Games and has won the London Marathon six times.ContextSport
  58. 1979 to 1990Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013), Britain's first woman Prime Minister and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century, led a Conservative government that privatised nationalised industries and imposed legal controls on trade union powers.CoreBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  59. 1980Sir Alfred Hitchcock, who had left for Hollywood, remained an important film director until his death in this year.ContextLeisure
  60. 1981Chariots of Fire was directed by Hugh Hudson.ContextLeisure
  61. 1982Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic, and a naval taskforce was sent from the UK whose military action led to their recovery.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  62. 1984The Turner Prize was established, celebrating contemporary art and named after Joseph Turner; four works are shortlisted every year and shown at Tate Britain before the winner is announced.UsefulArts and culture (part 1)
  63. 1984Jayne Torvill (1957-) and Christopher Dean (1958-) won Olympic gold medals for ice dancing, as well as four consecutive world championships.ContextSport
  64. 1984The Killing Fields was directed by Roland Joffe.ContextLeisure
  65. The 1980s and 1990sSpitting Image was among the satirical television shows of the time.ContextLeisure
  66. 1990Iraq invaded Kuwait, and Britain played a leading role in the coalition forces involved in its liberation.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  67. 25 December 1990Information was successfully transferred via the World Wide Web for the first time; its inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee (1955-), is British.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  68. 1993The EEC became a part of the European Union when the EU was formed.CoreBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  69. 1994Four Weddings and a Funeral was directed by Mike Newell.ContextLeisure
  70. 1994-Ellie Simmonds won gold medals for swimming at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, holds a number of world records and was the youngest member of the British team at the 2008 Games.ContextSport
  71. The 1990sBritish pop music saw a trend towards boy and girl bands.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  72. 1996Two British scientists, Sir Ian Wilmut (1944-) and Keith Campbell (1954-2012), led a team which was the first to succeed in cloning a mammal, Dolly the sheep.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 1)
  73. 1997The Labour Party led by Tony Blair was elected.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  74. Since 1997Some powers have been devolved from central government to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them, though defence, foreign affairs, social security and most taxation remain under central UK government control.CoreThe government (part 1)
  75. 1998The Good Friday Agreement was signed, building on the Northern Ireland peace process.CoreBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  76. 1998The Human Rights Act incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, and the government, public bodies and the courts must follow the principles of the Convention.CoreFundamental principles
  77. 1999A Welsh Assembly, now called the Senedd, and a Scottish Parliament were established; the Senedd sits in Cardiff and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.CoreThe government (part 1)
  78. 1999The Northern Ireland Assembly was elected, but it was suspended in 2002 and was not reinstated until 2007.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  79. Since 1999Hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords and now elect a few of their number to represent them.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  80. 2000Mary Peters was made a Dame of the British Empire in recognition of her work raising money for local athletics and promoting sport and tourism in Northern Ireland.ContextBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  81. Since 2000British armed forces have been engaged in the global fight against international terrorism and against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  82. 2002Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time by the public.UsefulThe 20th century
  83. 2003The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the country's best-loved novel.ContextArts and culture (part 2)
  84. 2003Touching the Void was directed by Kevin MacDonald.ContextLeisure
  85. 2004Dame Ellen MacArthur (1976-), a yachtswoman, became the fastest person to sail around the world singlehanded.ContextSport
  86. 2004Dame Kelly Holmes (1970-) won two gold medals for running at the Olympic Games.ContextSport
  87. 2007Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  88. 2007Television viewers voted Wastwater, in the Lake District, as Britain's favourite view.ContextPlaces of interest
  89. 2009British combat troops left Iraq.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  90. May 2010For the first time in the UK since February 1974, no political party won an overall majority in the General Election; the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties formed a coalition and David Cameron became Prime Minister.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  91. Since 2011The Senedd has been able to pass laws in the 21 areas it has power over, including education and training, health and social services, without the agreement of the UK Parliament.UsefulThe government (part 1)
  92. The 2011 Census59% of people identified themselves as Christian, 4.8% as Muslim, 1.5% as Hindu, 0.8% as Sikh, less than 0.5% as Jewish and less than 0.5% as Buddhist, and 25% said they had no religion.UsefulReligion
  93. 2012The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years as queen.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  94. 2012The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament was named 'Elizabeth Tower' in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.UsefulPlaces of interest
  95. 2012The main Olympic site was in Stratford, East London, the British team finished third in the medal table, and the Paralympic Games were also hosted in London.UsefulSport
  96. 2012Sir Bradley Wiggins (1980-) became the first Briton to win the Tour de France, and has won eight Olympic medals, including gold in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.ContextSport
  97. 2012Sir Andy Murray (1987-), a Scottish tennis player, won the men's singles at the US Open, the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since 1936, and also won Olympic gold and silver that year.ContextSport
  98. 2012 and 2016Sir Mo Farah (1983-), a distance runner born in Somalia, won gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the Olympics, and is the first Briton to win the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 metres.ContextSport
  99. 2012 and 2016Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (1986-) won the Olympic gold medal and then the silver medal in the heptathlon, which includes seven different track and field events.ContextSport
  100. 2013 and 2016Sir Andy Murray won the men's singles at Wimbledon, and won gold at the 2016 Olympics.ContextSport
  101. By the end of 2014Afghans were to have full security responsibility in all provinces, as international forces gradually handed over responsibility for security.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  102. 7 May 2015The Conservative Party won a majority at the general election and David Cameron remained Prime Minister.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  103. 23 June 2016A referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union was held, and the UK voted by a margin of 51.9% to 48.1% to leave.CoreEasily confused with 31 January 2020Britain since 1945 (part 2)
  104. 13 July 2016David Cameron was succeeded as Prime Minister by Theresa May.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  105. 24 July 2019Theresa May was succeeded as Prime Minister by Boris Johnson.UsefulBritain since 1945 (part 2)
  106. 31 January 2020The UK formally left the European Union.CoreEasily confused with 23 June 2016Britain since 1945 (part 2)
  107. 2021Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died, having been married to the Queen.UsefulThe development of British democracy / The British constitution

The year in Britain

The dates that come round every year and so have no year attached.

  1. 1 JanuaryNew Year is a public holiday, and people usually celebrate on the night of 31 December, called New Year's Eve.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  2. 2 JanuaryThis is also a public holiday in Scotland, where 31 December is called Hogmanay and is for some Scottish people a bigger holiday than Christmas.CoreCustoms and traditions
  3. 14 FebruaryValentine's Day is when lovers exchange cards and gifts, and people sometimes send anonymous cards to someone they secretly admire.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  4. 1 MarchSt David's Day is the patron saint's day for Wales.CoreEasily confused with 17 MarchReligion
  5. 17 MarchSt Patrick's Day is the patron saint's day for Northern Ireland, and is an official holiday there.CoreEasily confused with 1 MarchReligion
  6. March or AprilEaster marks the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday; Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays.CoreCustoms and traditions
  7. The day before Lent startsShrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is when people eat pancakes, traditionally made to use up foods such as eggs, fat and milk before fasting.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  8. Ash WednesdayLent begins, and church services mark Christians with an ash cross on the forehead as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  9. The 40 days before EasterLent is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for Easter; traditionally people fasted, and today many give something up such as a favourite food.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  10. The Sunday three weeks before EasterMothering Sunday, or Mother's Day, is when children send cards or buy gifts for their mothers.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  11. 1 AprilApril Fool's Day is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday, and television and newspapers often run April Fool stories.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  12. 14 AprilVaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is a Sikh festival celebrating the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa, celebrated with parades, dancing and singing.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  13. 23 AprilSt George's Day is the patron saint's day for England, and is no longer a public holiday there, though parades and small festivals are still held.CoreReligion
  14. The beginning of May, late May or early June, and AugustBank holidays fall at these times; they are public holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day, and they are of no religious significance.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  15. The third Sunday in JuneFather's Day is when children send cards or buy gifts for their fathers.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  16. JulyThe anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne is a public holiday in Northern Ireland.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  17. Every summerThe Edinburgh Festival, a series of different arts and cultural festivals, takes place, the biggest and best known of which is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  18. Every SeptemberThe Mercury Prize is awarded for the best album from the UK and Ireland.ContextArts and culture (part 1)
  19. October or NovemberDiwali, often called the Festival of Lights, lasts for five days and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs, marking the victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  20. 31 OctoberHalloween is an ancient festival with roots in the pagan festival marking the beginning of winter, when young people often dress up in frightening costumes to play trick or treat.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  21. 5 NovemberOn Bonfire Night people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays.CoreCustoms and traditions
  22. 11 NovemberRemembrance Day commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its allies; people wear poppies, there is a two-minute silence at 11.00 am and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.CoreCustoms and traditions
  23. November or DecemberHannukah is celebrated for eight days to remember the Jews' struggle for religious freedom, with a candle lit each day on a stand of eight candles called a menorah.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  24. 30 NovemberSt Andrew's Day is the patron saint's day for Scotland, and is an official holiday there, though not all businesses and offices will close.CoreReligion
  25. 24 DecemberMany Christians go to church on Christmas Eve.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  26. 25 DecemberChristmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a public holiday, marked with a special meal that often includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.CoreCustoms and traditions
  27. The day after Christmas DayBoxing Day is a public holiday.UsefulCustoms and traditions
  28. A date that changes every yearEid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month and thank Allah for the strength to complete the fast.UsefulCustoms and traditions

Government and the law

Dated and recurring facts about how the country is run, which sit outside the historical narrative.

  1. Every three years, then seven, now fiveThe Bill of Rights required a new Parliament to be elected at least this often, and the interval has changed twice since.UsefulA global power (part 1)
  2. At least every five yearsA General Election is held, at which MPs are elected through the 'first past the post' system.CoreThe development of British democracy / The British constitution
  3. Every four yearsThe 60 members of the Senedd are elected, using a form of proportional representation.UsefulThe government (part 1)
  4. May, every yearLocal elections for councillors are held for most local authorities.UsefulThe government (part 1)
  5. September or October, every yearThe electoral register is updated, and an electoral registration form is sent to every household.UsefulThe government (part 2)
  6. 7.00 am until 10.00 pmThe polling station, or polling place in Scotland, is open on election day.UsefulThe government (part 2)
  7. 2008Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced for England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.UsefulFundamental principles
  8. November 2011Similar Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in Scotland.UsefulFundamental principles
  9. November 2012The public first elected Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales, who set local police priorities and the local policing budget and appoint the local Chief Constable.UsefulThe UK and international institutions / Respecting the law