Every question in the bank, with the correct answer marked and a short explanation underneath. Read it straight through, then go back and take the timed tests to check what stuck.
Values and principles of the UK
The fundamental principles of British life include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
The Church of England is the official church of the state. The monarch is the head of the Church of England.
One of the fundamental principles of British life is tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy, meaning the monarch's powers are limited by law. The head of state is the monarch, but the country is governed by a democratically elected government.
The rule of law means that all citizens, including the government, are subject to the law and are held accountable for their actions.
The values of the UK include respect for the rights of others, including the right to free speech and expression, within the bounds of the law.
Laws in the UK are made by Parliament, which is a democratically elected body.
Individual liberty means people have the freedom to make their own choices and live their own lives, as long as they respect the rights of others and do not break the law.
The UK does not have a single written constitution. The fundamental principles are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance.
In the UK, the government is expected to govern in the interests of the people, according to the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Freedom of speech is a protected right in the UK, but it is limited by laws that criminalise inciting violence and promoting hatred.
The UK values tolerance and respect for diverse cultures and traditions, as long as they are within the law.
A key feature of the UK's democracy is the holding of free and fair elections for government, where all citizens have the right to vote.
Tolerance in the UK means respecting the right of others to hold different beliefs and faiths, even if you do not agree with them.
The rule of law ensures that everyone is subject to the same laws and has the right to a fair trial.
In the UK's democracy, the government is accountable to the people through regular elections.
Individual liberty includes the right to a private and family life, and the right to make your own choices, within the framework of the law.
The UK encourages citizens to participate in their communities and in the democratic process on a voluntary basis.
The UK does not have a single written constitution. Instead, its constitution is made up of a combination of laws, historic documents, and conventions.
Voting in elections is a key way citizens can exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities.
The fundamental principle of 'tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs' applies to all faiths and beliefs, provided they are within the law.
The rule of law is the foundation of the UK's legal system, ensuring fairness and justice for all.
Under the rule of law, public officials and institutions are accountable for their actions and must operate within the legal framework.
The UK is committed to providing equality of opportunity, meaning that everyone should have a fair chance to succeed in life, regardless of their background.
What is the UK: nations and geography
The capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast. The official handbook states this fact in the section about the UK's nations.
Exmoor is a National Park and area of moorland in south-west England, known for its wild ponies.
The Isle of Wight is an English county, not a Crown dependency. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies.
The UK is approximately 93,000 square miles (240,000 sq km) in size.
The River Thames flows through London and is the longest river entirely in England.
The national flower of Scotland is the thistle.
Lough Neagh, in Northern Ireland, is the largest lake in the UK by surface area.
The Downs are a series of chalk hills in the south-east of England.
The national flower of Wales is the daffodil.
The capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh.
The English Channel separates Great Britain from France.
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales.
The British Isles is a geographical term for the group of islands that includes Great Britain, Ireland, and several smaller islands.
The Pennines, a chain of mountains in the north of England, are sometimes called the backbone of England.
The capital city of Wales is Cardiff.
The Lake District is a National Park and popular holiday area in north-west England.
The Republic of Ireland is an independent country and not part of the United Kingdom.
St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland, and his day is celebrated on 17 March.
The national flower of England is the rose.
The flag of the United Kingdom is commonly known as the Union Jack.
Snowdonia is a National Park in North Wales, containing the highest mountain in Wales.
The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west of the United Kingdom.
The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory. Jersey and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies, and the Isle of Wight is part of England.
The Fens are an area of low-lying, marshy wetland in East Anglia.
Early Britain to the Romans
The first people to live in Britain were hunter-gatherers, in what is now called the Stone Age.
Britain has been permanently separated from the continent by the Channel for about 10,000 years.
Stonehenge is a famous monument from the Stone Age that still stands in the English county of Wiltshire.
Skara Brae on Orkney is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe.
During the Bronze Age, people learned to make bronze tools and ornaments.
In the Bronze Age, people buried their dead in tombs called round barrows.
Most people in the Iron Age were farmers, craft workers or warriors.
People lived in roundhouses, grouped together in larger settlements, and sometimes defended sites called hill forts.
A very famous hill fort is Maiden Castle, in the English county of Dorset.
The language spoken by the people of the Iron Age was part of the Celtic language family.
Julius Caesar led a Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. This was unsuccessful and for nearly 100 years Britain remained separate from the Roman Empire.
In AD 43, the Emperor Claudius led the Roman army in a new invasion. This time, there was a Roman conquest of Britain.
One of the tribal leaders who fought against the Romans was Boudica, the queen of the Iceni in what is now eastern England.
Boudica was the queen of the Iceni in what is now eastern England.
The Romans remained in Britain for almost 400 years.
The Emperor Hadrian built a wall in the north of England to keep out the Picts (ancestors of the Scottish people).
Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out the Picts, who were the ancestors of the Scottish people.
The Romans introduced new plants, animals, and a calendar. They also built roads and created structures that improved public health, such as public baths.
The Romans built a network of roads in Britain, which remained in use for centuries after they left.
The Romans introduced Christianity to Britain.
The first Christian communities began to appear in Britain during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
The Roman army left Britain in AD 410 to defend other parts of the Roman Empire and never returned.
The Roman army left Britain in AD 410 to defend other parts of the Roman Empire.
After the Romans left, Britain was again invaded by tribes from northern Europe.
Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and the Norman Conquest
Faced with disturbances in their empire, the Romans left Britain around AD 400.
The Anglo-Saxons were tribes from Northern Europe who settled in Britain.
Sutton Hoo in Suffolk is the site of an Anglo-Saxon ship burial, believed to be the tomb of a king.
The Anglo-Saxons did not conquer Scotland; instead, a separate Scottish kingdom was established.
Alfred the Great is remembered as the first English king after successfully defending his kingdom of Wessex against the Vikings.
The Vikings first visited Britain in AD 789 to raid coastal towns and take goods and slaves.
The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway.
King Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, defeated the Vikings in the 10th century.
The area where the Vikings lived under their own laws was called the Danelaw.
The last Anglo-Saxon king was Harold Godwinson, who was defeated at the Battle of Hastings.
The Norman Conquest took place in 1066 when William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England.
William, Duke of Normandy, led the successful invasion of England in 1066.
The Battle of Hastings was the decisive battle of the Norman Conquest, where William's forces defeated the English army.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a long piece of embroidery which tells the story of the Norman Conquest.
The Domesday Book was a survey of the land, property, and people of England ordered by William the Conqueror.
The Anglo-Saxons divided England into a number of different kingdoms.
St Patrick and St Columba were early Christian missionaries who helped to spread Christianity in what are now Scotland, Ireland, and northern England.
After the Norman Conquest, Norman French became the language of the ruling class and the government.
Cnut was a Danish Viking king who ruled England for a period after the Viking invasions.
Just before the Battle of Hastings, King Harold's army defeated an invasion of Vikings from Norway at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
The Normans introduced the feudal system, where land was granted to nobles in return for their military service to the king.
Edward the Confessor was an Anglo-Saxon king who built Westminster Abbey.
The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England united under one king to resist the threat from the Vikings.
The name 'England' comes from the 'Angle-land', named after the Angles, one of the Anglo-Saxon tribes.
The Middle Ages
King John was forced to agree to the Magna Carta, a charter of rights, by his noblemen in 1215 at Runnymede.
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the Anglo-Saxon king Harold at the Battle of Hastings and became king.
The Domesday Book was a comprehensive survey of the towns and villages of England, detailing ownership of land and property.
The Norman conquest led to Norman French becoming the language of the ruling class for a significant period.
One third of the population of Britain died when the Black Death, a form of plague, came to the country in 1348.
The Magna Carta established the principle that even the king was subject to the law and it protected the rights of the nobility.
During the Middle Ages, England was often at war, most famously in the Hundred Years War against France.
In the Middle Ages, miracle plays, based on stories from the Bible, were a popular form of entertainment.
The Scottish, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, securing Scotland's independence.
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote 'The Canterbury Tales', a famous series of poems about a group of people going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury.
It is estimated that one third of the population of Britain died as a result of the Black Death in the 14th century.
The Wars of the Roses (1455-85) were fought between the supporters of the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
The symbol of the House of Lancaster was the red rose, while the symbol of the House of York was the white rose.
King Edward I of England annexed Wales with the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, and the country has been linked with England ever since.
In the Middle Ages, the majority of the population lived in the countryside and made a living from farming.
The Wars of the Roses ended with the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, where King Richard III was killed and Henry Tudor became King Henry VII.
A key principle of the Magna Carta was the right to a fair trial by a jury of one's peers.
John Barbour wrote the epic poem 'The Bruce' which tells the story of the Scottish struggle for independence, including the Battle of Bannockburn.
Under the feudal system, most of the population were villeins or serfs, who were peasants bound to the land they worked on.
King Henry V's vastly outnumbered English army won a famous victory against the French at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
By around 1400, in England, official documents were being written in English and it had become the preferred language of the royal court and Parliament.
The Normans built castles across the country, including the Tower of London, to establish their control after the conquest in 1066.
In 1290, the Jewish community in England was expelled by King Edward I and would not be allowed to return for several centuries.
During the later Middle Ages, a prosperous merchant class began to develop in the growing towns.
The Tudors and Stuarts
The Tudor dynasty began with Henry VII, who became king after his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
Henry VIII is famous for breaking away from the Church of Rome and for marrying six times.
During the reign of Henry VIII, the Church of England was established. This is also known as the Anglican Church.
Mary I, Henry VIII's eldest daughter, was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants, earning her the nickname 'Bloody Mary'.
Elizabeth I was the younger daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She was a Protestant queen.
In 1588, the English fleet defeated the Spanish Armada, a large fleet of ships sent by Spain to attack England and restore Catholicism.
The reign of Elizabeth I was a time of growing patriotism and the period of English history includes the works of William Shakespeare.
As Elizabeth I had no children, her heir was her cousin James VI of Scotland. He became King James I of England, uniting the two countries.
King James I commissioned a new translation of the Bible, which became known as the 'King James Version' or the 'Authorised Version'.
King Charles I was executed in 1649 after a civil war between the King and Parliament.
After the execution of Charles I, England was declared a republic, called the Commonwealth.
For a time, England was a republic under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, who was given the title of Lord Protector.
In 1660, Parliament invited Charles II, son of the executed Charles I, to return from exile and become king. This event is known as the Restoration.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 refers to the replacement of King James II, a Catholic, with his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange.
Important Protestants in England asked William of Orange, the husband of James II's daughter Mary, to invade and proclaim himself king.
The Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of the king's power.
Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch. She had no surviving children, so the crown passed to her German cousins, the Hanoverians.
During Queen Anne's reign, in 1707, the Act of Union was passed, which united the kingdoms of England and Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Edward VI, Henry VIII's son, succeeded his father at the age of nine. He was a Protestant.
Mary I was a devout Catholic and she persecuted Protestants who refused to return to the Catholic Church.
The return of the monarchy with Charles II in 1660 is known as the Restoration.
In 1690, William III defeated James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, securing his throne.
The Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights ensured that the monarch would be Protestant and rule with the consent of Parliament.
The reign of Elizabeth I was a time of exploration, and one of the most famous explorers was Sir Francis Drake.
The Civil War, Restoration and Glorious Revolution
The handbook states that Charles I wanted to raise taxes without the agreement of Parliament, which was a major cause of the conflict.
Supporters of the king were known as Cavaliers. This is mentioned in the official guide.
Oliver Cromwell was the general who led the New Model Army to victory against the king's forces.
Following his trial and conviction for treason, Charles I was executed in 1649.
England was declared a republic, known as the Commonwealth. It no longer had a monarch.
The handbook notes that Scotland was brought under English control during this period.
In 1653, Cromwell was given the title of Lord Protector and ruled until his death.
The monarchy was restored in 1660 when Charles II was invited back to London.
The eldest son of Charles I, Charles II, had been in exile and was invited to return and become king.
A major outbreak of plague occurred in London in 1665, which was a significant event during Charles II's reign.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed many buildings, but it also killed the rats that carried the plague.
Samuel Pepys wrote a famous diary that gives us a first hand account of the events of the 1660s.
Habeas Corpus is a Latin term meaning 'you must have the body'. The Act guaranteed that no one could be imprisoned unlawfully.
Charles II's brother, James, became King James II in England, Wales and Ireland, and King James VII of Scotland.
James II was a Roman Catholic, and people were worried that he would try to re-establish Catholicism in England.
The birth of a son to James II and his Catholic wife raised the prospect of a Catholic dynasty, which led Protestant leaders to act.
Important Protestants in England asked William of Orange, the Protestant ruler of the Netherlands, to invade.
William was married to Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II, which gave him a claim to the English throne.
James II did not fight William's army but instead fled to France, effectively abdicating the throne.
The event was called the 'Glorious Revolution' because there was no loss of life or major battle in England.
They were offered the throne on the condition that they accepted that Parliament was the ultimate authority in the English government.
The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed the rights of Parliament and set limits on the powers of the monarch.
The Bill of Rights established that the monarch needed Parliament's consent for key actions like raising taxes.
James II's supporters in Scotland became known as Jacobites. They fought to restore him and his heirs to the throne.
The 18th century and the Union
The Act of Union in 1707 united the parliaments of England and Scotland, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Sir Robert Walpole is acknowledged as the first Prime Minister, holding office from 1721 to 1742.
The Jacobites were supporters of the claim of James II and his descendants to the British throne.
The Jacobite forces were decisively defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, ending their campaign.
The MacDonalds of Glencoe were massacred in 1692 for not formally accepting William III as king.
The 1707 Act of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain by uniting England and Scotland.
George I, a German prince from Hanover, became king in 1714 as Queen Anne had no surviving children.
After the defeat of the Jacobites, English was promoted as the language of administration and commerce in the Highlands.
The Whigs were a political faction that generally supported the power of Parliament over the monarch.
The American War of Independence resulted in the 13 colonies breaking away from British rule to form the USA.
Queen Anne was the reigning monarch when the parliaments of Scotland and England were united.
Scotland sought economic security and access to England's trading network, which were key drivers for the union.
The Tories were a political party that traditionally supported the authority of the monarch and the established Church.
Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, was called 'The Young Pretender' by his opponents.
The 18th century saw major developments in manufacturing, particularly in the production of textiles and iron.
During this period, the power of the monarch was increasingly limited by Parliament, establishing a constitutional monarchy.
Chequers was donated in the 20th century to be the country home for the serving Prime Minister, but the role of Prime Minister began in the 18th century.
George I was the Elector of Hanover, a German state, and he did not speak English.
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed at Westminster, containing representatives from both Scotland and England.
The Act of Union allowed Scotland to retain its own distinct legal system, church, and education system.
The Enlightenment, or the 'Age of Reason', promoted the idea that human problems could be solved through rational thought and scientific study.
Sir Robert Walpole led the cabinet meetings and is considered the first Prime Minister due to the king's inability to communicate in English.
The 1707 Act of Union joined the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single kingdom.
The disastrous failure of the Darien Scheme, an attempt to establish a Scottish colony in Panama, left Scotland financially ruined and made union with England more attractive.
The Victorian age and the Empire
Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, a period which is known as the Victorian Age.
India was the largest and most important part of the empire, often called the 'jewel in the crown'.
Britain, alongside Turkey and France, fought Russia in the Crimean War (1853–56).
Florence Nightingale worked in military hospitals during the Crimean War and is considered the founder of modern nursing.
By the end of the 19th century, the British Empire comprised more than 400 million people.
The Reform Acts of the Victorian era gave the vote to working-class men, and by the end of the period, most men had the right to vote.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a famous Victorian engineer who built tunnels, bridges, railway lines and ships.
The Boer War took place in what is now South Africa, where the British went to war against settlers of Dutch descent called the Boers.
The unpopular Corn Laws were repealed in 1846, which was a major step in the direction of free trade.
During the Victorian age, Britain became the first industrialised country and the population of its towns and cities grew rapidly.
Queen Victoria was made Empress of India in 1877.
The naturalist Charles Darwin published 'The Origin of Species' in 1859, which put forward the theory of evolution.
Prince Albert organised the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851, which showcased technology and design from around the world.
The Victoria Cross, an honour for bravery, was introduced by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War.
For much of the first half of the 19th century, the textile and metal-working industries had a dominant position in the world economy.
Britain produced more than half of the world's iron and coal in the second half of the 19th century.
During this period, the Whig party became the Liberal Party.
William Gladstone, a Liberal, was one of the most prominent Prime Ministers of the Victorian era, serving four terms.
A series of laws were passed to improve conditions for children, including an 1870 law that ensured all children had access to schooling.
The Chartists were a group of reformers who presented a charter to Parliament in 1838, demanding reforms such as the right to vote for all men.
Charles Dickens was a famous Victorian writer whose novels showed the reality of life for the poor and vulnerable.
Rudyard Kipling's work, including 'The Jungle Book' and 'If', was very popular. He was born in India.
During the Victorian period there was a long dispute about 'Home Rule' for Ireland, which meant giving Ireland its own parliament while it remained part of the UK.
The British Empire included countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and large parts of Africa, but not Argentina.
The 20th century and the First World War
In the early 20th century, the 'Suffragettes' were a growing movement of women who campaigned for the right to vote.
During the First World War, Britain was allied with France, Russia, and the USA. Austria-Hungary was one of the Central Powers.
The First World War became known as the Great War and was the first conflict to involve countries from all over the world.
The trigger for the First World War was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.
David Lloyd George was the British Prime Minister for the second half of the First World War.
The British army suffered a huge number of casualties at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.
The First World War ended on 11 November 1918.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 led to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was formed in 1922.
The first 'talkie' was The Jazz Singer, which was first shown in 1927.
Alexander Fleming, a Scottish doctor and scientist, discovered penicillin in 1928.
The 1930s were a period of economic depression in the UK and elsewhere, known as the Great Depression.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the main industries in the UK were shipbuilding, textiles, and coal mining.
The sinking of the passenger liner Lusitania by a German submarine in 1915 caused great public anger in Britain.
In 1928, women were given the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 resulted in the partition of Ireland, with Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK.
The end of the First World War on 11 November 1918 is known as Armistice Day.
King George V was the monarch of the United Kingdom when the First World War began in 1914.
The British used tanks for the first time at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
The First World War was caused by a complex series of events, including a series of alliances between European powers.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 and formally ended the First World War.
At the beginning of the First World War, the British government raised a volunteer army.
In 1918, women over the age of 30 were first given the right to vote.
The Easter Rising took place in Dublin in 1916, when Irish nationalists rebelled against British rule.
Between the wars and the Second World War
The First World War ended in 1918, and the inter-war period saw great changes.
The 1930s were a time of economic downturn known as the Great Depression, which affected the traditional heavy industries in the UK.
After the First World War, the Labour Party replaced the Liberals as the main opposition party to the Conservatives.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was formed in 1922 and started radio broadcasts.
Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister when Britain declared war on Germany in 1939.
Britain and France declared war on Germany in 1939 after Germany invaded Poland.
The Blitz was the term used for the sustained bombing of the UK by Germany, which began in September 1940.
Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940 and is remembered for his wartime leadership.
The Battle of Britain was an aerial battle fought between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the German Luftwaffe.
The 1942 Beveridge Report set out proposals for a state-run social security system and a National Health Service.
On 6 June 1944, Allied forces landed in Normandy in what was the greatest amphibious assault in history.
The ideas of economist John Maynard Keynes became influential during this period.
The Second World War ended in 1945, first in Europe and later in Japan.
The British government initially tried to avoid another war through a policy of 'appeasement', but eventually realised this would not stop Hitler.
In 1940, many Allied soldiers were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk in a flotilla of civilian boats.
The Great Depression particularly affected traditional heavy industries like shipbuilding. New industries, such as automobile production, developed.
In 1928, women were given the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men.
A Labour government, led by Clement Attlee, was elected in 1945 and implemented many of the proposals of the Beveridge Report.
The British victory at the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt in 1942 was a major turning point in the war.
The newly elected Labour government of 1945 promised to introduce the National Health Service (NHS).
The Blitz began in September 1940 with the sustained bombing of London and other cities.
The German air force was unable to defeat the RAF, and Germany's plans to invade Britain were abandoned.
The British had a crucial advantage in the Battle of Britain: a radar system that could detect approaching German aircraft.
After the Second World War, the British Empire developed into the Commonwealth as the number of independent countries increased.
Britain since 1945
The NHS was established in 1948 to provide free healthcare for all.
Clement Attlee's Labour government undertook major post-war reforms, including the founding of the NHS.
The British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of independent states.
People from the Caribbean were invited to Britain to help with the post-war labour shortage.
While Britain contributed to post-war technology, the mobile phone was developed elsewhere. The Harrier, ATM, and World Wide Web all have British origins.
The 1960s was a decade of profound social and cultural change, with new trends in music, fashion, and art.
The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 after its application was initially vetoed.
Margaret Thatcher became the UK's first female Prime Minister in 1979.
In 1982, Britain successfully reclaimed the Falkland Islands after an Argentine invasion.
The Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher pursued a policy of privatising nationalised industries.
The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 was a major step in the peace process in Northern Ireland.
In the late 1990s, devolution led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997 after a landslide victory for the 'New Labour' Party.
During the 1960s, a number of social reforms were passed, including the effective end of the death penalty.
The post-war consensus was a period where both major parties accepted a mixed economy and a strong welfare state.
In June 2016, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the European Union.
In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson, working in Cambridge, discovered the structure of DNA.
The arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948 is often seen as a landmark in the history of modern Britain.
The period of conflict in Northern Ireland is known as the Troubles.
Canada was already a self-governing dominion. India, Pakistan, Ghana and many other countries gained independence after 1945.
The Channel Tunnel, linking Britain and France by rail, was officially opened in 1994.
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan made a famous speech in 1960 about the 'winds of change' blowing through Africa.
Britain was a founding member of the United Nations (UN) which was formed after the Second World War to prevent future conflicts.
During the 1950s and 60s, there was a significant increase in the number of married women who took on paid work.
Religion, customs and traditions
The main Christian denominations in the UK are the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, the Church in Wales, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches.
The Church of Scotland is the national church in Scotland. It is a Presbyterian church and is not the official church of the state.
The monarch is the head of the Church of England. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The patron saints' days are St David's Day in Wales, St George's Day in England, St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, and St Andrew's Day in Scotland.
Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It is when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The monarch is the head of the Church of England. In Scotland, the national church is the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian church.
St Andrew's Day is on 30th November and is a national holiday in Scotland.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month when many Muslims fast during daylight hours.
The Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool is a famous horse race. Wimbledon is a tennis tournament, The Open Championship is a golf tournament, and The Ashes is a cricket series.
Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter and is the day when Christians believe Jesus returned to heaven.
The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music that takes place in various venues, with the most famous concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The Eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of poetry and music. The largest is the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which is held annually.
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that is usually celebrated in December. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The Open Championship is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf. The other events listed are for different sports.
Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14th April each year.
The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, including in the UK.
Hogmanay is the Scots word for New Year's Eve, and it is a major celebration in Scotland on 31st December.
Eid ul Adha is the festival of sacrifice. It remembers the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Toad in the hole is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. It is often served with gravy and vegetables.
The pantomime is a type of musical comedy stage production, designed for family entertainment. It is traditionally performed in theatres throughout the UK during the Christmas and New Year season.
Welsh rarebit is a dish made with a savoury sauce of melted cheese and seasonings served over toasted bread. Haggis is Scottish, the Cornish pasty is from Cornwall, and Lancashire hotpot is from Lancashire.
The Royal National Mòd is an annual festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture that takes place in a different Scottish town each year.
Festivals and national days
St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is Scotland's national day.
St David's Day is the national day of Wales and is celebrated on 1 March.
St George is the patron saint of England, and St George's Day, 23 April, is England's national day.
St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland and St Patrick's Day, 17 March, is Northern Ireland's national day.
Bonfire Night, 5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. It originates from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Diwali is the festival of lights and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in October or November. It lasts for five days.
Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday.
Easter is a Christian festival marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Easter changes each year.
Shrove Tuesday is the day before the start of Lent. It is also known as Pancake Day, as traditionally people would eat pancakes to use up foods before the fasting period of Lent began.
The day after Christmas Day is called Boxing Day and is a public holiday.
Hannukah is a Jewish festival that is celebrated for eight days, usually in December. It commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC.
Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims.
Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14 April each year.
In Scotland, the New Year is called Hogmanay. It is an important time for visiting friends and family.
Remembrance Day, on 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its allies. People wear red poppies in memory of the fallen.
St Valentine's Day is on 14 February. It is a day when people send cards, flowers or chocolates to a person they are romantically attracted to, often anonymously.
A traditional food for Easter Sunday is roast lamb.
Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter, when some Christians fast or give up certain luxuries.
April Fool's Day, 1 April, is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday.
Halloween's origins come from the ancient pagan festival of Samhain, which celebrated the end of the harvest period.
The daffodil is a national symbol of Wales, and is worn on St David's Day.
Public holidays in the UK are often called 'bank holidays'. They are days when most businesses and schools are closed.
The national flower of Scotland is the thistle.
The national flower of England is the rose.
Sport
Sir Chris Hoy is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold medals and one silver medal. He is the most successful British Olympian.
Sir Steve Redgrave is a British rower who won five Olympic gold medals in five consecutive Olympic Games.
The Grand National is a famous horse race that takes place each year at Aintree racecourse, near Liverpool.
Dame Kelly Holmes won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games.
Bobby Moore was the captain of the English football team that won the World Cup in 1966.
The Ryder Cup is a golf tournament played between teams from Europe and the USA.
Scotland has five ski centres. The main one is at Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park.
Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It is held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
The main rugby union club competition in England is the Premiership.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is a wheelchair racer who won 11 gold medals and is considered one of the most successful British Paralympians.
The most famous horse race in the UK is the Grand National at Aintree.
Sir Ian Botham was captain of the England cricket team and is a well-known commentator on the sport.
Sir Ben Ainslie is a British sailor who won a gold medal at five consecutive Olympic Games.
Royal Ascot is a five-day race meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family.
The Six Nations Championship is a rugby union tournament played between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy.
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in London.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won gold medals for ice dancing at the 1984 Olympic Games.
Mary Peters is a former athlete from Northern Ireland who won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon.
The Open Championship is the only major golf tournament held outside the USA.
Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula 1 World Championship seven times, a record he shares.
The game of curling was developed in Scotland in the 16th century.
Sir Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in England's 4-2 victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final.
The Ashes is a series of Test cricket matches played between England and Australia.
Sir Roger Bannister was the first person in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954.
Arts, music and literature
William Shakespeare is one of the most performed playwrights in the world.
Gilbert and Sullivan wrote many famous comic operas, including The Mikado.
John Barry was a famous composer who wrote the music for many films, including the James Bond series.
Sir Kingsley Amis was a 20th-century English novelist and poet, well known for his comic novel 'Lucky Jim'.
The 'Last Night of the Proms' features well-known patriotic pieces such as 'Rule, Britannia!' by Thomas Arne.
John Constable and JMW Turner were important landscape painters, raising the profile of landscape painting.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a Scottish doctor and writer, best known for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes.
Geoffrey Chaucer is known as the father of English poetry. His most famous work is 'The Canterbury Tales'.
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is celebrated on Burns Night (25 January).
Andrew Lloyd Webber has written the music for many successful musicals, including 'Cats'.
William Shakespeare wrote many famous plays, including 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose books, including 'Pride and Prejudice', are still popular today.
The Eisteddfod is an annual cultural festival in Wales, which includes competitions in literature, singing, and music.
Sir Edwin Lutyens was a famous architect who designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall, the focus of the annual Remembrance Day service.
Gustav Holst was a famous 20th-century composer, best known for his work 'The Planets'.
The Turner Prize is a prestigious award for contemporary art, named after the landscape painter JMW Turner.
Roald Dahl wrote many popular children's books, including 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'The BFG'.
Benjamin Britten was a key figure in 20th-century British music, known for his operas such as 'Peter Grimes'.
Charles Dickens wrote many famous novels, including 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'.
Antony Gormley is a contemporary artist famous for his sculptures, including the 'Angel of the North' in Gateshead.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the famous fantasy novel 'The Lord of the Rings'.
George Orwell was a novelist and essayist famous for works such as 'Animal Farm' and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.
David Hockney was an important contributor to the 'pop art' movement in the 1960s and continues to be influential today.
Sir Edward Elgar was an English composer whose best-known works include the 'Enigma Variations' and the 'Pomp and Circumstance Marches'.
Leisure, places of interest and landmarks
Ascot is a famous racecourse in Berkshire.
The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music that takes place in various venues, primarily the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The Prime Minister resides at 10 Downing Street in London.
The Chelsea Flower Show is a world-famous annual flower show.
The Giant's Causeway is a land formation of columns made from volcanic lava, located on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland.
Edinburgh Castle is a dominant feature of the skyline in the capital of Scotland.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is a major sporting event in the UK.
The Lake District is England's largest National Park, covering 885 square miles (2,292 square kilometres) in Cumbria.
The Houses of Parliament are in the Palace of Westminster, which has a famous clock tower named the Elizabeth Tower. The bell inside the clock is known as Big Ben.
Snowdonia is a National Park in North Wales which contains Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
The Mousetrap is a murder-mystery play by Dame Agatha Christie which has been running in the West End for a very long time.
The Eden Project, located in Cornwall, is a visitor attraction known for its two large biomes that house plants from all over the world.
The Turner Prize is a contemporary art award named after the artist J M W Turner.
The Edinburgh International Festival takes place every August and is a major celebration of music, theatre, and opera.
The New Forest is a National Park located in the south of England, primarily in Hampshire.
Roast beef is considered a national dish of England.
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep's offal, suet, onions, and oatmeal.
A pantomime is a type of play often performed at Christmas, based on a fairy story where the audience participates.
Tate Modern, located on the south bank of the River Thames, houses the UK's collection of modern art from 1900 to the present day.
Twickenham in London is the home of English Rugby Union.
Tate Liverpool is a modern and contemporary art gallery located in the city of Liverpool.
The Bayesian Tapestry is a long embroidery that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. It is now located in Bayesian, France.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is an annual cultural festival of music, literature, and performance conducted in Welsh.
St David is the patron saint of Wales, and St David's Day is celebrated on 1 March.
The British constitution and Parliament
The UK has a constitutional government. A fundamental principle of the constitution is the sovereignty of Parliament.
The Queen is the head of state of the UK. The monarch has a largely ceremonial role in the government of the UK.
The House of Lords is made up of hereditary peers, life peers and Lords Spiritual. The Lords Spiritual are the 26 most senior bishops of the Church of England.
The House of Commons is the more important of the two houses of Parliament. It is responsible for making laws and for scrutinising the work of the government.
The leader of the political party with the largest number of members in the House of Commons is appointed Prime Minister and is the head of the government.
General elections are held every five years to elect MPs to the House of Commons. The last general election was in 2019.
The Speaker is the chief officer of the House of Commons. The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party. They preside over debates, keeping order and calling MPs to speak.
A proposal for a new law or a proposal to change an existing law is called a bill. Bills must be debated and approved by both Houses of Parliament before they can become law.
Every week when Parliament is sitting, the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs in the House of Commons. This is known as Prime Minister's Questions.
The House of Lords has the power to suggest amendments to bills passed by the House of Commons. However, it cannot normally prevent a bill from becoming law.
When a bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament it is sent to the monarch for the royal assent. This is the monarch's formal agreement that the bill should become law.
The official report of the proceedings in Parliament is called Hansard. It is published daily and contains a record of everything said in the debates in both Houses.
The judiciary is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. The judiciary is independent of the government and Parliament.
The second largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition. The leader of the opposition appoints a team of 'shadow ministers' who form the 'shadow cabinet'.
MPs are elected in a general election, which is held every five years. Each constituency elects one MP, using the 'first past the post' system.
Each political party in Parliament has Whips who are responsible for ensuring that MPs attend and vote as their party desires. The term comes from fox hunting, where a whipper-in 'whips' the hounds into a pack.
The UK Parliament has devolved many of its powers to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Defence is a matter reserved for the UK Parliament.
The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments. These ministers form the cabinet, which is the main decision-making body of the government.
The Houses of Parliament are in the Palace of Westminster in London. The building is also known as the Houses of Parliament.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the monarch does not rule the country directly but has a largely ceremonial role. The country is governed by the government, in the name of the monarch.
The government can be defeated in the House of Commons by a 'vote of no confidence'. If the government loses a vote of no confidence, it must resign or call a general election.
If an MP dies or resigns, there is a by-election in their constituency to elect a new MP.
The MP who has the longest continuous service in the House of Commons is known as the 'father' or 'mother' of the House. They have a largely ceremonial role.
Black Rod is a senior officer in the House of Lords. He or she is responsible for maintaining order in the House and its precincts. Black Rod has a ceremonial role in the State Opening of Parliament.
Elections, voting and political parties
Health is a devolved matter, meaning that the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly can pass their own laws on this issue. The UK Parliament is responsible for immigration, defence and foreign policy.
The official report of the proceedings in Parliament is called Hansard. It is published daily.
You must be at least 18 years old to stand for public office in the UK.
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and is responsible for all government policy and decisions.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected by the public. The UK has MEPs, but they do not have a say in UK law-making.
The Speaker is the chief officer of the House of Commons. They are politically neutral and are responsible for keeping order during debates.
Whips are responsible for making sure that MPs of their party attend and vote in important debates. The term comes from fox hunting, where a 'whipper-in' would keep the hounds from straying.
Following the Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011, a General election is held every five years. It can be held earlier if a majority of MPs vote for it.
The UK uses a 'first past the post' system for General elections. In this system the candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected.
To vote in a UK General election you must be a UK, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and be on the electoral register.
The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year. The monarch makes a speech which outlines the government's proposed policies for the coming session.
The official residence of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, in central London.
The 'Shadow Cabinet' consists of senior MPs from the second largest party in the House of Commons. They challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
The Labour Party is one of the UK's major political parties. The others listed are also political parties, but Labour, along with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, are considered the main parties.
After a General election, the leader of the political party with the most Members of Parliament (MPs) is invited by the monarch to become Prime Minister and form a government.
A by-election is held in a constituency if a Member of Parliament (MP) resigns or dies. The winner of the by-election becomes the new MP for that area.
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration. This includes the security of the UK.
The House of Lords has an important role in making and shaping laws and checking and challenging the work of the government. It acts as a check on the power of the House of Commons.
The Secretary of State for Scotland represents the UK government in Scotland and is the monarch's representative.
The monarch is the head of state and has a largely ceremonial role. The monarch acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride.
Most members of the House of Lords are life peers and are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
A 'hung parliament' occurs when no single political party wins an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons after a General election.
Education is a devolved power in Wales. This means the Welsh Assembly can pass its own laws on education policy.
There are 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing a constituency in the UK.
Government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Education is a devolved matter, meaning the Scottish Parliament can make laws on it.
The National Assembly for Wales, now the Welsh Parliament, was created in 1999 following a referendum.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is based at the Parliament Buildings, commonly known as Stormont, in Belfast.
The member who is elected to preside over the Scottish Parliament's proceedings is called the Presiding Officer.
Elections for the Welsh Parliament are held every five years.
The Northern Ireland Assembly operates on a principle of power-sharing, requiring the main unionist and nationalist parties to work together in government.
The currency is a reserved matter, meaning only the UK Parliament can legislate on it.
Since 2011, laws passed by the Senedd are known as Acts of Senedd.
The National Assembly for Wales was renamed Senedd Cymru, or the Welsh Parliament, in May 2020.
Voters in Northern Ireland elect 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Defence is a reserved matter for the UK Parliament and is not devolved to Wales.
The Northern Ireland Assembly was established as a result of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, of 1998.
The head of the Scottish Government is the First Minister.
MSPs are elected using an additional member system, which combines elements of first-past-the-post and proportional representation.
Local government is a devolved matter, giving the Welsh Parliament control over how councils are run in Wales.
The Scotland Act 2016 gave the Scottish Parliament the power to set income tax rates and bands.
The Welsh Government is led by the First Minister (Prif Weinidog).
There are 60 members of the Senedd (MSs), elected to represent the different areas of Wales.
The constitution is a reserved matter, meaning the UK Parliament in Westminster retains control over it.
The Scottish Parliament building is located in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh, opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
A referendum was held in 2011, in which there was a 'yes' vote. This gave the Assembly powers to make laws on a wider range of subjects.
Issues that the UK Parliament retains control over, such as defence and foreign affairs, are known as 'reserved matters'.
The presiding officer of the Senedd is known as the Presiding Officer or Llywydd.
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).
The UK and international institutions
The UK is a founding member of NATO, a group of countries that have agreed to protect each other.
The UK is one of five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) works to create and enforce rules for international trade.
The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organisation.
NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, a defensive alliance.
The five permanent members are the UK, USA, France, China, and Russia.
The European Convention on Human Rights was established by the Council of Europe.
The UN was set up after the Second World War to prevent future conflicts.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries.
The UN headquarters are in New York City.
Canada is a member of the Commonwealth, along with other countries such as Australia and India.
NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered as an attack against all.
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-sport event held every four years.
The Council of Europe concentrates on the protection of human rights.
The Commonwealth promotes democracy, good government, human rights and the rule of law.
The United Nations was established in 1945, after the end of the Second World War.
The UK is one of five countries with a permanent seat on the Security Council, giving it a powerful voice.
The Council of Europe is responsible for the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Commonwealth consists of 53 member countries, almost all of which were formerly part of the British Empire.
NATO is a defensive alliance, formed to guarantee the freedom and security of its members.
The UN has a wide range of roles, but creating a single global currency is not one of them.
Commonwealth members subscribe to shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The Council of Europe is based in Strasbourg, France.
As a member of the World Trade Organisation, the UK must treat all its trading partners equally.
Respecting the law and the courts
In the UK, you are considered an adult at 18 and are fully responsible for your actions.
Respecting the law is a fundamental principle of British life.
The police's role is to protect the public and enforce the law.
Anyone arrested has the right to remain silent until they have received legal advice.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK.
A barrister is a lawyer who represents clients in court.
You can be selected for jury service if you are aged between 18 and 70.
Breach of contract is a civil offence, not a criminal one.
The Youth Court deals with crimes committed by young people aged 10 to 17.
A solicitor is a trained legal professional who gives expert legal advice and represents clients.
The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without a lawyer, for claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales.
Justices of the Peace, or Magistrates, are volunteers who hear and decide on criminal cases in court.
Carrying a weapon is a criminal offence.
Legal aid can help you to pay for legal advice and representation if you cannot afford it.
You can get free legal advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau.
Criminal law deals with crimes and their punishment, while civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the organisation that prosecutes criminal cases in England and Wales.
For the most serious criminal offences, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.
The 'Bar' is the professional association for barristers in England and Wales.
Local councils are responsible for enforcing parking regulations.
The Official Solicitor acts for people who are unable to act for themselves, such as children or people with mental health difficulties.
Mediation is a way of settling disputes by using an impartial person to help both sides reach an agreement, without the need for a court hearing.
The Lord Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary in England and Wales.
A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to the original charge with a more lenient sentence.
Fundamental rights, taxes, driving and community
Everyone in the UK has the right to a fair trial.
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax paid on most goods and services.
You must be at least 17 years old to drive a car or a moped in the UK.
There are many ways to get involved in your local community, such as volunteering for a local charity.
British citizens must obey the law.
National Insurance contributions are used to fund the NHS and the state pension.
Before you can legally drive a car in the UK, you must have a valid driving licence, insurance, and a fully taxed vehicle.
School governors are volunteers who help to run schools.
The right to freedom of expression is subject to certain restrictions, such as laws against inciting hatred or violence.
Council Tax is paid to local councils to pay for local services such as street cleaning and rubbish collection.
The national speed limit on a single carriageway road for a car is 60 mph.
A parish council is a type of local council for a neighbourhood.
Habeas corpus is a legal principle that protects people from being unlawfully imprisoned.
Income Tax is a tax on your income.
A speed limit sign indicates the maximum speed at which you can legally drive.
Being a good neighbour includes simple things like keeping your garden tidy.
In the UK, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Everyone who has an income or buys goods and services in the UK is responsible for paying tax.
It is not compulsory to carry your driving licence with you, but you must be able to produce it at a police station.
MPs are elected to represent the views of their constituents in the House of Commons.
Being a British citizen comes with responsibilities, including looking after yourself and your family.
If you get 12 penalty points on your licence within 3 years, you may be disqualified from driving.
Defence is a matter that is not devolved and is still controlled by the UK Parliament.
In a criminal trial, the jury's role is to decide the facts of the case and to reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
Mixed review of the whole handbook
The Isle of Man is a Crown dependency and has its own government.
The Scottish flag is called the St Andrew's Cross.
St Paul's Cathedral was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London by the architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Gilbert and Sullivan wrote many famous comic operas, including The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance.
The deadline for paying tax and submitting a tax return online is the 31st of January.
You must be 18 years old to stand for public office.
Sir Robert Watson-Watt led the team that developed the radar system, which was a significant factor in winning the Battle of Britain.
The 'Swinging Sixties' was a period of cultural change, with a growth in British music, fashion and art.
The fundamental principles of British life are: Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and participation in community life. In the UK, people drive on the left.
A constituency is a geographical area which is represented by a single Member of Parliament (MP).
The Turner Prize is a prestigious award for contemporary art.
Constance Markievicz was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons, but she did not take her seat as she was a member of Sinn Fein.
In England and Wales, the small claims procedure is used for claims of up to £10,000.
The rose is the national flower of England.
By law, general elections must be held at least every five years.
The heir to the throne is the person who is next in line to become the monarch.
Habeas Corpus is a Latin term which means 'you shall have the body'. It is a legal principle that prevents unlawful detention.
Sir Isaac Newton was a famous British scientist who is best known for his work on gravity.
The national anthem of the United Kingdom is 'God Save the King'.
The role of the opposition is to challenge the government and hold it to account for its actions.
The Home Secretary is the government minister responsible for crime, policing and immigration.
You will be sent a National Insurance number just before your 16th birthday.
The Privy Council is an advisory body to the monarch, made up of senior politicians.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol was designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
