Abortion Act passed, and Sexual Offences Act decriminalises homosexuality
Student protests across Europe. Anti-Vietnam war demo in Grosvenor Square, London. Women at Dagenham Ford strike for equal pay. Race Relations Act makes it illegal to refuse housing or job on grounds of race
Beginning of 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland.
Equal Pay Act passed. Surprise election for conservative party under Prime Minister Edward Heath
First UK Women's Liberation conference
First national miners' strike since 1926. “Bloody Sunday”, 13 demonstrators shot dead by the British Army in Derry
Socialist government in Chile overthrown by right-wing coup with U.S support
Three-day week energy saving during miners strike. Minority Labour Government led by Harold Wilson. IRA bombing in mainland Britain.
EEC membership referendum. Thatcher becomes opposition leader of conservative party. Sex Discrimination Act passed
Grunwick Strike for union recognition by Asian women workers
Lewisham demonstration against National Front. Anti-Nazi League formed to combat the far right
Racist murder of Altab Ali in Whitechapel.
'Winter of Discontent' public service strikes. Conservative Margaret Thatcher becomes prime minister. Teacher Blair Peach killed on anti NF demo.
First national CND demonstration 'Protest and Survive'. Civil war in El Salvador against military Junta.
SDP breaks from Labour Party. Riots in UK inner cities. Ken Livingstone becomes leader of GLC. Bobby Sands MP and 9 IRA hunger strikers die in prison
Falklands Islands war in the South Atlantic. 30,000 women form human chain around RAF Greenham Common fence
High unemployment, unrest in UK inner cities, violence in Northern Ireland. Thatcher re-elected. Colin Roach, a young black man, dies in police custody
Broadwater Farm riots, in Tottenham, London, following the shooting Cynthia Jarrett; Policeman Keith Blakelock killed
Print unions picket Murdoch's News International plant in Wapping
Thatcher re-elected with a slightly reduced majority