Abortion Act passed, and Sexual Offences Act decriminalises homosexuality

Student protests across Europe. Anti-Vietnam war demo in Grosvenor Square, London. Women at Dagenham Ford strike for equal pay. Race Relations Act makes it illegal to refuse housing or job on grounds of race

Beginning of 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland.

Equal Pay Act passed. Surprise election for conservative party under Prime Minister Edward Heath

First UK Women's Liberation conference

First national miners' strike since 1926. “Bloody Sunday”, 13 demonstrators shot dead by the British Army in Derry

Socialist government in Chile overthrown by right-wing coup with U.S support

Three-day week energy saving during miners strike. Minority Labour Government led by Harold Wilson. IRA bombing in mainland Britain.

EEC membership referendum. Thatcher becomes opposition leader of conservative party. Sex Discrimination Act passed

Grunwick Strike for union recognition by Asian women workers

Lewisham demonstration against National Front. Anti-Nazi League formed to combat the far right

Racist murder of Altab Ali in Whitechapel.

'Winter of Discontent' public service strikes. Conservative Margaret Thatcher becomes prime minister. Teacher Blair Peach killed on anti NF demo.

First national CND demonstration 'Protest and Survive'. Civil war in El Salvador against military Junta.

SDP breaks from Labour Party. Riots in UK inner cities. Ken Livingstone becomes leader of GLC. Bobby Sands MP and 9 IRA hunger strikers die in prison

Falklands Islands war in the South Atlantic. 30,000 women form human chain around RAF Greenham Common fence

High unemployment, unrest in UK inner cities, violence in Northern Ireland. Thatcher re-elected. Colin Roach, a young black man, dies in police custody

Broadwater Farm riots, in Tottenham, London, following the shooting Cynthia Jarrett; Policeman Keith Blakelock killed

Print unions picket Murdoch's News International plant in Wapping

Thatcher re-elected with a slightly reduced majority