| 1707 |
An Act of Union formally
united Scotland with England and Wales as the Kingdom of Great Britain. |
| 1763 |
The Treaty of Paris
recognized British control of Canada and India gained during the Seven
Years' War. |
| 1801 |
An Act of Union took
effect that incorporated Ireland into Great Britain to create the United
Kingdom. |
| 1805 |
Admiral Horatio Nelson's
victory over the French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar saved Britain
from the threat of invasion. |
| 1815 |
The Duke of Wellington's
victory at the Battle of Waterloo ended the Napoleonic Wars. |
| 1825 |
The first railroad in
Britain opened between Stocton and Darlington. |
| 1832 |
The Whig Reform Bill
extended voting rights to middle-class men. |
| 1833 |
Slavery was abolished in
the British Empire. |
| 1851 |
The Great Exhibition in
London showcased Britain's prosperity. |
| 1858 |
Following the Sepoy
Mutiny, the British government assumed direct control of India from the
British East India Company. |
| 1911 |
The Parliament Act
reduced the power of the House of Lords. |
| 1914-1918 |
Britain and the other
Allies fought the Central Powers during World War I. Although the Allies
won, the war had shattering economic and social effects on the country. |
| 1916 |
British forces crushed
the Easter Rebellion in Ireland. |
| 1921 |
The Irish Free State was
created. The British kingdom was renamed the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland. |
| 1936 |
Edward VIII abdicated in
order to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson. |
| 1940 |
Victory in the air during
the Battle of Britain prevented a German invasion. |
| 1945 |
After victory in World
War II, the Labour Party initiated reforms to make Britain a welfare
state. |
| 1947 |
The British colonies of
India and Pakistan became independent nations. Many other British
colonies became independent in the following years. |
| 1972 |
Northern Ireland came
under the direct rule of the British government, as violence intensified
between Catholics and Protestants. |
| 1973 |
The United Kingdom joined
the European Community. |
| 1979 |
Margaret Thatcher became
the first woman to be elected prime minister. |
| 1982 |
Britain defeated
Argentine forces after Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands (Islas
Malvinas). |
| 1994 |
The English Channel
tunnel opened, linking the island of Great Britain with France. |
| 1997 |
After 18 years of
Conservative rule, the Labour Party took control of the British
government in a landslide victory. |
| 1999 |
Scotland and Wales gained
a level of self-rule when Scotland elected a new parliament and Wales
elected a new assembly. |
General Knowledge :: HISTORICAL EVENTS BY COUNTRY :: UNITED KINGDOM