Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• Beatles memorabilia in British Library
London is one of the world's major cultural capitals, an exporter of art, science, and tech-
nology. In 2012, the city hosted the Olympics for the third time.
Timeline
2000
London puts on a big millennium celebration, building a Ferris wheel (the London
Eye), the Millennium Bridge, and the Millennium Dome exhibition (now “The
O2”).
2002
Many EU nations adopt the euro currency, but Britain sticks with the pound ster-
ling. Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 50-year Jubilee.
2003
A wary and politically divided Britain joins America's “Coalition of the Willing,”
and invades Iraq.
2005
Four terrorist bombs rock London on “7/7.”
2007
Tony Blair steps down as prime minister, and Gordon Brown takes over. A bank
run on Northern Rock, the country's fifth-biggest mortgage lender, marks the be-
ginning of an economic downturn.
2009
Construction starts on the Crossrail, an underground train line that will dramatic-
ally speed up east-west connections across town.
2010
After an extremely close election, embattled PM Gordon Brown of the Labour
Party loses his job to Conservative David Cameron.
2011
Prince William marries Kate Middleton—the first royal wedding in a generation,
watched by two billion people around the world.
2012
In a one-two punch of a giant year, London hosts the Summer Olympics, and
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60-year Diamond Jubilee.
2013
Will and Kate announce the birth of Prince George, third in line to the English
throne.
2015
You visit Britain to make your own history.
Related Sights
• The London Eye
• Tate Modern contemporary art exhibits
