List of events during the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II facts for kids

The Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marked a very special time in 1977. It was the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II becoming Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. People celebrated with huge parties and parades all over the UK and the Commonwealth.

The main "Jubilee Days" happened in June, around the time of the Queen's Official Birthday. On February 6, 1977, churches held special services to mark the exact anniversary. Throughout March, towns and cities across the UK started getting ready for big celebrations. Many streets also planned their own smaller parties.

Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee

The Silver Jubilee was a big event for Queen Elizabeth II. It celebrated 25 years since she became Queen. This milestone was a chance for people to show their support and happiness for her long reign.

Royal Engagements and Global Travel

The Queen had a very busy schedule during her Silver Jubilee year. She traveled to many countries, showing her dedication to the Commonwealth. These trips helped her connect with people all over the world.

February and March Journeys

In February, the Queen visited several islands in the Pacific. She went to American Samoa, Western Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. These visits were important for strengthening ties with these nations.

Later in February and March, the Queen spent time in New Zealand. She attended a Maori Festival in Gisborne. She also officially opened the Parliament in Wellington.

After New Zealand, the Queen visited Australia. She opened the Parliament in Canberra. She also traveled to cities like Launceston, Tasmania, Newcastle, New South Wales, Sydney, Nuriootpa, South Australia, and Perth. Her journey continued to Papua New Guinea, Bombay, and Muscat, Oman.

Special Events in May

May was a busy month with many special events in the UK.

• On May 3, the Queen launched a new ship, HMS Invincible, in Barrow-in-Furness.
• She received special messages from the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• The Queen reviewed the Police at Hendon and Rolls-Royces at Windsor Castle.
• She also met delegates from the NATO Ministerial Council Meeting.
• Special British Silver Jubilee stamps were released on May 11.
• The Queen visited the Royal Horticultural Society's famous Chelsea Show.
• She also toured several cities in Scotland, including Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen.

June: The Main Jubilee Celebrations

June was the peak of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. Many big events took place, including a special bank holiday.

Major Public Events

• On June 6, a chain of bonfires was lit, starting at Windsor.
• June 7 was a special Silver Jubilee Bank Holiday, allowing everyone to celebrate.
• The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1977 was held at Lancaster House.
• The Queen took a special boat trip on the River Thames, visiting Greenwich.
• The traditional Trooping of the Colour parade happened on June 11.
• The Queen reviewed the Royal British Legion Standards in a march past.
• A special Silver Jubilee Test match was played at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Royal Tours Across the UK

The Queen continued her tours across the UK in June.

• She visited cities in the North West of England, including Lancaster, Preston, Leigh, Stretford, Manchester, St. Helens, Liverpool, and Bootle.
• The Queen also toured Wales, visiting places like Harlech Castle, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llandudno, Conwy, Bangor, Holyhead, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Carmarthen, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, Barry, Cardiff, and Risca.
• Towards the end of June, she reviewed the Royal Navy at Spithead and visited Portsmouth. She also toured South London and reviewed the Reserve & Cadet Forces at Wembley Stadium.

July and August: More UK Visits

The summer months saw the Queen continue her extensive travels across the United Kingdom.

Summer Engagements

• On July 1, the Queen visited Wimbledon.
• She reviewed the British Army of the Rhine in Germany on July 7.
• The Queen visited many cities in the East and North of England. These included Norwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Grimsby, Doncaster, Sheffield, Barnsley, Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, Beverley, York, Hull, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Eston, Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Sunderland.
• In late July, she toured the Midlands, visiting Wolverhampton, Dudley, West Bromwich, Walsall, Birmingham, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, Coventry, Leicester, Chesterfield, Mansfield, Derby, and Nottingham.
• The Queen also reviewed the Royal Air Force at RAF Finningley.

Southern and Western Tours

In August, the Queen visited the South and West of England, and Northern Ireland.

• She toured Southampton, Torbay, Exeter, and Plymouth. In Plymouth, she reviewed the Royal Marines.
• Her journey continued to Falmouth, Truro, Bodmin, St. Austell, Bristol, Northavon, Bath, Keynsham, and Weston-super-Mare.
• The Queen also visited Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland.

Autumn and Winter: Final Jubilee Events

The Jubilee celebrations continued into the autumn and winter months with more royal visits and special events.

October and November Travels

• From October 14 to 19, the Queen visited Canada. She officially opened Parliament in Ottawa.
• She then traveled to the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Mustique, and Barbados. These visits highlighted her role as Head of the Commonwealth.
• In November, the Queen attended a football match between Leeds United and Ajax in Leeds.
• A Silver Jubilee Pageant was held in Hong Kong.

December and Christmas Message

• On December 16, the Queen officially opened the Piccadilly line extension to Heathrow Central Airport.
• Finally, on December 25, her annual Royal Christmas Message was broadcast to the Commonwealth. This message was a special way to end her Silver Jubilee year.

Images for kids

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  Elizabeth II speaking to disabled women during her visit to Grimsby in July 1977. The Queen is pictured here with the town's mayor.