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Londinium was established as a civilian town by the Romans about four years[8] after the invasion of AD 43.
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Early Anglo-Saxon London belonged to a people known as the Middle Saxons, from whom the name of the county of Middlesex is derived.
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The Normans advanced to the south bank of the Thames opposite London, defeated an English army and established new fortresses within the city to dominate the native population.
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The period saw London rapidly rising in importance among Europe's commercial centres. The late 16th and early 17th century saw the great flourishing of drama in London whose preeminent figure was William Shakespeare.
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London's expansion beyond the boundaries of the City was established in the 17th century. The preparations for King James I becoming king were interrupted by a plague epidemic, which may have killed over thirty thousand people. The Great Plague was immediately followed by another catastrophe, albeit one which helped to put an end to the plague. On the Sunday, 2 September 1666 the Great Fire of London broke out at one o'clock in the morning at a bakery in Pudding Lane.
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The 18th century was a period of rapid growth for London, reflecting an increasing national population, the early stirrings of the Industrial Revolution, and London's role at the centre of the evolving British Empire.
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During the 19th century, London was transformed into the world's largest city and capital of the British Empire. Its population expanded from 1 million in 1800 to 6.7 million in 1900. The first railway to be built in London was from London Bridge to Greenwich, opened in 1836. Many famous buildings and landmarks of London were constructed during the 19th century including: Trafalgar Square
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The Royal Albert Hall
The Victoria and Albert Museum
Tower Bridge -
London's population grew rapidly in the early decades of the century, During World War I, London experienced its first bombing raids (by German zeppelin airships). London suffered unemployment during the Great Depression (1930s). During World War II, London, suffered severe damage, being bombed by the Luftwaffe (The Blitz). Three years after the war, the 1948 Summer Olympics were held at the original Wembley Stadium. In the '60s London became the capital of fashion and pop culture.
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Around the start of the 21st century, London hosted the much derided Millennium Dome at Greenwich, to mark the new century. On 6 July 2005 London won the right to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics making it the first city to host the modern games three times.
