The Norman Conquest was the last successful foreign invasion of England and led to many changes in government and social structures in England. Norman French, the language of the new ruling class, influenced the development of the English language as we know it today.

Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security all remain under central UK government control. However, many other public services, such as education, are controlled by the devolved administrations.

A referendum was held on 23 June 2016. The UK voted by a margin of 51.9% to 48.1% to leave the European Union. The UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020.

The outbreak of the First World War led the British government to postpone any changes in Ireland. Irish Nationalists were not willing to wait and in 1916 there was an uprising (the Easter Rising) against the British in Dublin. The leaders of the uprising were executed under military law.

Glasgow is a city in Scotland.

The countries that make up the UK all have flowers which are particularly associated with them and which are sometimes worn on national saints’ days. In Scotland, it is the thistle.

England’s only international football tournament victory was at the World Cup of 1966, hosted in the UK.

Scotland had also been strongly influenced by Protestant ideas. In 1560, the predominantly Protestant Scottish Parliament abolished the authority of the Pope in Scotland and Roman Catholic religious services became illegal. A Protestant Church of Scotland with a leadership was established but, unlike in England, this was not a state Church.

There are several islands which are closely linked with the UK but are not part of it: the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. These have their own governments and are called ‘Crown dependencies’.

In the 19th century, Gilbert and Sullivan wrote comic operas, often making fun of popular culture and politics. These operas include HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Their work is still often staged by professional and amateur groups.

Britain continued to be a great trading nation. The government began to promote policies of free trade, abolishing a number of taxes on imported goods. The reforms helped the development of British industry, because raw materials could now be imported more cheaply.

Activities you can do as a volunteer include caring for animals at a local rescue shelter, volunteering at a youth group, participating in a litter pick-up in the local area, working with the homeless, mentoring, and volunteering at a hospital or residential care home.

During Charles Il’s reign, in 1665, there was a major outbreak of plague in London. The following year, a great fire destroyed much of the city, including many churches and St Paul’s Cathedral. Samuel Pepys wrote about these events in a diary which was later published and is still read today.

Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action for their clients and represent their clients in court.

Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. They thank Allah for giving them the strength to complete the fast. The date when it takes place changes every year. Muslims attend special services and meals.

Working with radar led Sir Bernard Lovell (1913-2012) to make new discoveries in astronomy. The radio telescope he built at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire was for many years the biggest in the world and continues to operate today.

The UK has a free press. This means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control. Some newspaper owners and editors hold strong political opinions and run campaigns to try to influence government policy and public opinion.

In 1776, 13 American colonies declared their independence, stating that people had a right to establish their own governments. The colonists eventually defeated the British army and Britain recognised the colonies’ independence in 1783.

In the 1830s and 1840s, a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform. They wanted six changes: for every man to have the vote, elections every year, for all regions to be equal in the electoral system, secret ballots, for any man to be able to stand as an MP, for MPs to be paid.

Mary Peters was a talented athlete who won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon in 1972. After this, she raised money for local athletics and became the team manager for the women’s British Olympic team. She continues to promote sport and tourism in Northern Ireland and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000 in recognition of her work.

During the Middle Ages, English kings fought a long war with France, called the Hundred Years War (even though it actually lasted 116 years).

Gardening and flower shows range from major national exhibitions to small local events.

In the UK, any man who forces a woman to have sex, including a woman’s husband, can be charged with rape.

Some poets, including William Wordsworth, were inspired by nature.