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Union of Crowns: James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns of Scotland and England. -
English Civil War between Royalists and Parliamentarians. -
King Charles I is executed, leading to the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. -
The monarchy is restored under Charles II after the Interregnum. -
Acts of Union merge the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. -
Seven Years' War, a global conflict involving European powers, including Britain. -
American Revolution begins, leading to the eventual loss of Britain's American colonies. -
Acts of Union merge Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. -
Battle of Trafalgar, a decisive British naval victory during the Napoleonic Wars. -
Slavery Abolition Act passed, abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire. -
Reign of Queen Victoria, a period of significant industrial and imperial expansion. -
Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" is published, introducing the theory of evolution. -
World War I, involving the UK and its empire. -
Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War I. -
General Strike in the UK, involving coal miners and other workers protesting for better conditions. -
World War II, during which the UK stands against Nazi Germany. -
End of World War II; Labour Party wins general election, leading to the establishment of the welfare state. -
India gains independence from British rule. -
Queen Elizabeth II ascends to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI. -
Suez Crisis, a diplomatic and military conflict over the nationalization of the Suez Canal. -
Cultural and social changes, including the rise of the Beatles and the Swinging Sixties. -
UK joins the European Economic Community (EEC), the precursor to the European Union. -
Falklands War between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. -
Devolution referendums lead to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. -
House of Lords Act reduces the hereditary peers in the House of Lords. -
Brexit referendum results in a vote to leave the European Union. -
UK officially leaves the European Union on January 31; COVID-19 pandemic impacts the UK and the world.