United Kingdom 1900-now By Mouth Jr Jan 1, 1900 Labour Party founded. Labour Party founded. Period: Jan 1, 1900 to Mar 21, 2013 United kingdom Jan 1, 1901 Death of Queen Victoria. Jan 1, 1902 Boer War ends. Jan 1, 1906 Labour Party wins fifty-three seats in the General Election. Jan 1, 1911 The physicist Rutherford propounds a new theory of the atom. Parliament curtails power of the House of lords; establishes five-yearly elections. Jan 1, 1914 The Great War (First World War) breaks out. Jan 1, 1915 Dardanelles expedition, ending in British withdrawal from Gallipoli. Jan 1, 1918 The Great War finally ends after immense destruction and loss of life. Limited female franchise granted in Britain. Jan 1, 1922 Creation of the Irish Free State, following the treaty concluded with Sinn Fein in December 1921. May 3, 1926 General Strike (3-12 may) Jan 1, 1938 Chamberlain meets Hitler in Munich. Abdication of Edward VIII. Sep 3, 1939 British Empire declares war on Germany May 8, 1945 End of war in Europe. General election; massive Labour victory; Attlee becomes Prime Minister. Jan 1, 1966 General election; Labour win with much larger Jan 1, 1969 British troops are sent into Northern Ireland. Jan 1, 1972 Prime Minister Heath announces direct rule in Northern Ireland. Stormont abolished. School-leaving age raised to 16. Jan 1, 1977 Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Jan 1, 1986 Channel Tunnel treaty signed. Jan 1, 1987 General election; Mrs Thatcher’s Conservative government again returned Jan 1, 1993 The single European market takes effect. Jan 1, 1997 Labour Party elected to power under Tony Blair with a massive majority.