Timeline of British history (1950–1969) Facts for Kids

This article looks at important events in the history of the United Kingdom from 1950 to 1969. It's a timeline, showing what happened year by year. For a bigger picture of what was going on, you can check out the history of the British Isles. To learn more about this specific time, see Postwar Britain (1945–1979) and Social history of Postwar Britain (1945–1979).

The United Kingdom in the Mid-20th Century

The 1950s and 1960s were a time of big changes for the United Kingdom. After World War II, the country was rebuilding and finding its new place in the world. This period saw many social, political, and economic shifts.

Key Events of the 1950s

The 1950s began with Britain still recovering from the war. Rationing, which limited how much food people could buy, slowly ended. This decade also saw the start of a new era with a new Queen.

1950: A New Decade Begins

February 23: A general election was held. The Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Clement Attlee, won by a very small number of seats. This meant they continued to govern, but with less power.
June 25: The Korean War began. The United Kingdom, as an ally of the United States, sent troops to help. This was a major international event that affected British foreign policy.

1951: Changing Governments

October 25: Another general election took place. This time, the Conservative Party, led by Winston Churchill, won. Churchill became Prime Minister again, after leading the country during World War II.
The Festival of Britain was held in London. This event celebrated British achievements in science, technology, and art. It aimed to show a positive future for the country after the war.

1952: A New Queen on the Throne

February 6: King George VI died. His daughter, Princess Elizabeth, became Queen Elizabeth II. This was a very important moment for the country.
The first British atomic bomb was tested. This made the UK one of the few countries with nuclear weapons, changing its role in global politics.

1953: The Coronation and Everest

June 2: Queen Elizabeth II's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey. Millions watched on television, as TV was becoming more common in homes.
May 29: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay successfully climbed Mount Everest. This amazing achievement was announced on the day of the Queen's coronation, adding to the national celebration.

1954: End of Rationing

July 4: Food rationing officially ended in the UK. This was a big relief for families, as it meant they could buy more of what they needed. It marked a step towards a more normal life after the war.

1956: The Suez Crisis

October-November: The Suez Crisis occurred. This was a major international event when Britain, France, and Israel tried to take control of the Suez Canal from Egypt. It caused a lot of debate and showed that Britain's power on the world stage was changing. Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigned shortly after.

1957: Macmillan Takes Over

January 10: Harold Macmillan became Prime Minister. He was a Conservative and famously said, "most of our people have never had it so good," reflecting a time of growing prosperity.

Key Events of the 1960s

The 1960s were a time of rapid social and cultural change, often called the "Swinging Sixties." New music, fashion, and ideas became popular, especially among young people.

1960: A Decade of Change Begins

The UK continued to see economic growth. More people owned cars and televisions.
New pop music from British bands started to become very popular.

1961: Applying to Europe

August 10: The UK applied to join the European Economic Community (EEC). This was a group of European countries working together on trade and economic matters. It was a big decision about Britain's future.

1962: The Beatles Rise

The Beatles released their first single, "Love Me Do." This marked the beginning of their huge success and the start of the "British Invasion" in music around the world.

1963: Political Changes

October 19: Harold Macmillan resigned as Prime Minister due to health reasons. Sir Alec Douglas-Home took over as the new Conservative leader.
The "Great Train Robbery" took place. This was a famous crime where a gang stole a large amount of money from a mail train.

1964: Labour Returns

October 15: A general election was held. The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, won. Wilson became Prime Minister, promising to modernize Britain.

1965: Death of Churchill

January 24: Winston Churchill died at the age of 90. He was given a state funeral, a rare honor, showing how important he was to British history.

1966: World Cup Glory

July 30: England won the FIFA World Cup, beating West Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley Stadium. This was a huge moment of national pride and celebration.

1967: Devaluation and Europe Again

November 18: The British pound was devalued. This meant its value against other currencies was lowered, making British goods cheaper for other countries to buy.
The UK applied to join the EEC again, but was rejected by France.

1968: Social Changes and Protests

Student protests and demonstrations took place in many countries, including the UK, reflecting a desire for social change.
The Race Relations Act was passed, making it illegal to discriminate against people based on their race.

1969: Technology and Culture

The first message was sent over ARPANET, a very early version of the internet. This showed the start of the digital age.
The Open University was founded, offering university education to people of all ages through distance learning.

Timeline of British history (1950–1969) facts for kids