English history

By mirjamlarsen
  • 6000 BCE

    6000

    The British Isles are formed as water levels rise separating them from mainland Europe.
  • 2200 BCE

    2200

    The construction of Stonehenge is completed.
  • 600 BCE

    600

    The Celtic peoples begin to arrive and establish their culture.
  • 55 BCE

    55

    Roman leader Julius Caesar invades Britain, but withdraws.
  • 1170

    1170

    Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is put to death by Henry II.
  • 1215

    1215

    King John is forced to sign the Magna Carta
  • 1297

    1297

    William Wallace leads the Scotts in their defeat of the English. He is defeated a year later at the Battle of Falkirk.
  • 1337

    1337

    The Hundred Years' War with France begins. It will last until 1453.
  • 1349

    1349

    The Black Death hits England killing a large portion of the English population.
  • 1415

    1415

    The English defeat the French at the Battle of Agincourt.
  • 1453

    1453

    The Hundred Years' War comes to an end.
  • 1455

    1455

    The War of the Roses begins between the families of the Plantagenets and the Lancastrians for the right to rule England.
  • 1485

    1485

    The War of the Roses ends with the crowning of Henry Tudor as King Henry VII. The House of Tudor begins its reign.
  • 1508

    1508

    Henry VIII is crowned king.
  • 1534

    1534

    Henry VIII forms the Church of England.
  • 1536

    1536

    England and Wales are joined by the Act of Union.
  • 1558

    1558

    Elizabeth I becomes Queen. The Elizabethan Era begins.
  • 1580

    1580

    Explorer Sir Francis Drake completes his journey around the globe.

  • 1588

    The English fleet led by Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada.

  • 1591

    William Shakespeare begins writing and performing plays.

  • 1600

    The East India Company is established.

  • 1602

    James I becomes king and rules over England and Scotland. He is the first of the Stuart family to rule.

  • 1605

    Guy Fawkes fails in his attempt to blow up Parliament.

  • 1620

    The Pilgrims set sail for America aboard the Mayflower.

  • 1666

    The Great Fire of London destroys much of the city.

  • 1689

    The English Bill of Rights is established giving more power to the parliament.

  • 1707

    England and Scotland are united as one country called Great Britain.

  • 1756

    The Seven Year's War begins.

  • 1770

    The Industrial Revolution begins in England.

  • 1776

    The American colonies declare their independence from Britain.

  • 1801

    The British and Irish parliaments are joined by the Act of Union to create the United Kingdom.

  • 1805

    The British fleet defeats Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar.

  • 1837

    Queen Victoria is crowned queen. The Victorian Era begins.

  • 1854

    The Crimean War is fought against Russia.

  • 1914

    World War I begins. The United Kingdom fights with Allies against the Central Powers led by Germany.

  • 1918

    World War I ends.

  • 1921

    Ireland is granted independence.

  • 1928

    Women gain equal rights to vote.

  • 1939

    World War II begins. The United Kingdom joins the Allies against the Axis Powers.

  • 1940

    The United Kingdom is bombed by the Germans for months during the Battle of Britain.

  • 1945

    World War II ends.

  • 1952

    Elizabeth II is crowned queen.

  • 1979

    Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom.

  • 1981

    Prince Charles marries Lady Diana.

  • 1982

    The Falklands War occurs.

  • 1991

    The United Kingdom joins the United States in the Gulf War.

  • 1997

    Princess Diana dies in a car crash. Britain gives control of Hong Kong to China.

  • 2003

    The Iraq War occurs.

  • 2011

    Prince William marries Catherine Middleton.