on 15-Jan-2015 (Thu)

R A Butler oversaw the Education Act of 1944, which introduced free secondary education in England and Wales.

In 1688, important Protestants in England asked William of Orange to invade England and proclaim himself king in place of James II. There was no resistance, and the event was later called the ‘Glorious Revolution’.

Percentage of the total UK population living in

• England 84%
• Scotland 8%
• Wales 5%
• Northern Ireland 3%

Vaisakhi (also spelled Baisakhi) is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and singing.

The Mercury Music Prize is awarded for the best album from the UK and Ireland.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales includes music, dance, art and original performances

The Turner Prize is given for contemporary art.

17th century, famous architects included Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren.

Queen’s House, Greenwich
Architect: Inigo Jones
Style: Classical
Century: 17th

St Paul’s Cathedral, London Architect: Sir Christopher Wren

In 18th century's architecture, Robert Adam’s and John Carr's designs became popular.

19th century, Houses of Parliament, Architect: Charles Barry

19th century, St Pancras railway station, Architect: George Gilbert Scott

20th century, The Cenotaph, Whitehall, Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens

30 St Mary Axe, London (also known as the Gherkin) Architect: Sir Norman Foster

‘Capability’ Brown created landscaped gardens around country houses in the 18th century

Gertrude Jekyll collaborated with Edwin Lutyens to create colourful gardens around the houses he designed.

17th CENTURY John Milton’s Paradise Lost

Literature in 18th and 19th CENTURIES William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scott

British actors have worked in both the UK and Hollywood and many have won Oscars and BAFTAs, the UK equivalent.

Medieval kings had jesters who made fun of people in the court.

There are 15 national parks in England, Scotland and Wales.

The most famous competition in British cricket is the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia

David Weir is a Paralympian

The thistle is the national flower of Scotland.

In the 17th century, Inigo Jones took inspiration from classical architecture to design the Queen’s House at Greenwich and the Banqueting House in Whitehall in London.

The Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922, but the Northern Ireland Assembly was not set up until later (in 1998).

However, the Northern Ireland Assembly has been running successfully since 2007.

The UK joined the European Union (EU) in 1973.

When the European Economic Community was originally set up in 1957, the UK decided not to join.

There are now (in 2012) 27 member countries and Croatia will join in 2013.

The Council of Europe is separate from the EU.

The Council of Europe developed the European Convention on Human Rights which has been incorporated into the UK’s Human Rights Act.

The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), an international organisation with more than 190 countries as members.

The UN Security Council has 15 members. The UK is one of the five permanent members. The Security Council decides how international crises should be dealt with.

The 28 NATO member countries all have an equal say in decision-making.

Police officers are supported by police community support officers (PCSOs).