Turning points in British history

A 20-part series of articles looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history

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The final instalment in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1950–1999. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1956: The shock of Suez . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part nineteen in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1900–1949. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1916: The long march to modernity . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part eighteen in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1850–1899. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1851: The Crystal Palace . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Turning points 1832: The ‘Great’ Reform Act . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Turning points 1776: The year of American independence . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part fifteen in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores explores 1700–1749. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1745: The Jacobite rebellion . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part fourteen in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1650–1699. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1662: Restoration tragedy . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part thirteen in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1600–1649. (Image by Getty Images)

Turning points 1638: The Scottish Revolution . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Turning points 1588: The Spanish Armada . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543). (Photo by: PHAS/UIG via Getty Images)

Turning points 1534: Henry VIII declares his ‘empire’ . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part ten in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1450–1499

Turning points 1483: Richard grabs the throne . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Watercolor Painting Depicting Battle of Agincourt (Photo by © Historical Picture Archive/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Turning points 1415: The battle of Agincourt . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 in England began in Brentwood, Essex as a protest at the collection of poll tax and reached a climax at Smithfield, London. Richard II (1367-1800) met the Kentish peasants who, under Watt Tyler (d1381), were demanding the end of serfdom. During the meeting William Walworth (d1385) Lord Mayor of London, wounded Wat Tyler who was taken to St Bartholomew's Hospital but was later dragged out of the hospital and beheaded. 19th century lithograph. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

Turning points 1381: The Peasants’ Revolt . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Miniature depicting a couple suffering from the blisters of the Black Death, the bubonic plague that swept Europe in the Middle Ages. From the Swiss manuscript the Toggenburg Bible, 1411. Pigment on vellum. (Photo by VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)

Turning points 1348: The Black Death . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Part six in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1200–1249

Turning points 1295: Edward I consolidates English rule . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.