KEY MOMENTS IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES

  • RIGHT TO VOTE

    All women over 21 were able to vote.
  • END OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

  • THE NORTHERN IRELAND TROUBLES

    The Northern Ireland Troubles cover the period between the riots in 1969 and the "Good Friday Agreement" in 1998.
    In this period there was much violence and killing from both the unionist community and the nationalist community.
  • UK MEMBERSHIP OF THE EEC

    The UK joined the European Economic Community.
  • MARGARET THATCHER AND HER GOVERNMENT

    Margaret Thatcher, the leader of the Conservative Party, became the country's first female Prime Minister.
    Her Government's policy included cuts in government spending and the closure of many industries. This created massive unemployment in the north of England and strikes.
    It was also a period of economic boom.
  • ARGENTINA INVADES THE BRITISH ISLANDS

    Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and the British government decided to send troops to regain possession of the islands. In June Argentina surrendered.
  • GULF WAR

  • TONY BLAIR AS PRIME MINISTER AND THE DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA

    New Labour won the General Election and Tony Blair became Prime Minister.
    He makes a devolution for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
    In the same year Princess Diana dies in a car crash.
  • ATTACK ON THE TWIN TOWERS

  • ATTACK ON LONDON

    Four suicide bombers attacked central London tube stations and buses.
  • GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS

    Global financial crisis had severe effects on the British banking system and economy.
    It led to a recession and a five-year government austerity programme.
  • SCOTLAND'S REFERENDUM

    Scotland held a referendum about becoming an independent country but the majority decided to remain part of the UK.
  • BREXIT

  • DEATH OF ELIZABETH II