In the middle of the 19th century the potato crop failed, and Ireland suffered a famine. A million people died from disease and starvation.

Towns, cities and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, often called ‘local authorities’. Some areas have both district and county councils, which have different functions. Most large towns and cities have a single local authority.

Political parties welcome new members. Joining one is a way to demonstrate your support for certain views and to get involved in the democratic process.

In 1801, Ireland became unified with England, Scotland and Wales after the Act of Union of 1800. This created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a national saint, called a patron saint: St Patrick. St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is an official holiday in Northern Ireland. Events are held across Northern Ireland and the rest of the country, especially where there are a lot of people of Northern Irish and Irish heritage.

In the UK, you must be at least 17 years old to drive a car or motor cycle and you must have a driving licence to drive on public roads.

The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition.

The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England united under King Alfred the Great, who defeated the Vikings.

For most local authorities, local elections for councillors are held in May every year. Many candidates stand for council election as members of a political party.

In 1284 King Edward I of England introduced the Statute of Rhuddlan, which annexed Wales to the Crown of England.

There is a very long history of horse racing in Britain, with evidence of events taking place as far back as Roman times. There are racecourses all over the UK.

After 1833, 2 million Indian and Chinese workers were employed to replace the freed slaves. They worked on sugar plantations in the Caribbean, in mines in South Africa, on railways in East Africa and in the army in Kenya.

‘Great Britain’ refers only to England, Scotland and Wales, not to Northern Ireland.

Political parties are particularly busy at election times. Members work hard to persuade people to vote for their candidates - for instance, by handing out leaflets in the street or by knocking on people’s doors and asking for their support. This is called ‘canvassing.

The times following the Bill of Rights of 1689 was also an important time for the development of a free press (newspapers and other publications which are not controlled by the government). From 1695, newspapers were allowed to operate without a government licence. Increasing numbers of newspapers began to be published.

In Scotland, most civil dispute matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court. More serious civil cases - for example, when a large amount of compensation is being claimed - are dealt with in the Court of Session in Scotland.

Money raised from income tax pays for government services such as roads, education, police and the armed forces.

By about AD 600, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were established in Britain. These kingdoms were mainly in what is now England. Parts of the west of Britain, including much of what is now Wales, and Scotland, remained free of Anglo-Saxon rule.

The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of the River Thames and is a Ferris wheel that is 443 feet (135 metres) tall. It was originally built as part of the UK’s celebration of the new millennium and continues to be an important part of New Year celebrations.

A non-UK national living in the UK and looking for work, starting work or setting up as self-employed will need a National Insurance number. However, you can start work without one.

In the late 1960s, the government passed new laws to restrict immigration to Britain. Immigrants were required to have a strong connection to Britain through birth or ancestry.

If you have children, there are many ways in which you can help at their schools. Parents can often help in classrooms, by supporting activities or listening to children read.

St Augustine led missionaries from Rome, who spread Christianity in the south. St Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

During the 1960s, the position of women in the workplace also improved. It was quite common at the time for employers to ask women to leave their jobs when they got married, but Parliament passed new laws giving women the right to equal pay and made it illegal for employers to discriminate against women because of their gender.