1899 - 1902

Boer war. Took place in what is now South Africa, between the two Dutch states of Transvaal and the Orange Free State and the British.

1912

Titanic sunk after hitting an iceberg.

Captain Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole.

1914 - 1918

The Great War (World War I) between the German-Austria-Hungary-Italy alliance and the French-Russian-British alliance, later joined by USA.

1918

Women get the vote.

1920 - 1922

Violence erupts in Ireland leading to the partition of Ireland.
Six Protestant counties of Ulster (Northern Ireland) - under UK rule.
Rest of Ireland (Republic of Ireland).

1939 - 1945

World war two.

1948

National Health Service (NHS) comes into being. Formed to bring free health service for all.

Olympic Games held in London.

1953

James Watson and Francis Crick work out the structure of DNA at Cambridge.

India wins independence.

1956 Suez crisis

Britain and France invade Egypt after Colonel Nasser, the ruler of Egypt, took charge of the Suez canal.After huge International pressure, Britain and France pull out.

1973

Britain joins the European Economic Community (Common Market).

Roman age Middle ages Tudor times 17th Century 18th to 19th C 20th Century