Earth Site Education

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1985-01-29In 1985 the University of Oxford refused to honour former student Mrs Margret Thatcher with an honorary degree. She becomes the first Oxford-educated Prime Minister not to be granted the honorary degree. The vote not to bestow the honour on Mrs Thatcher was greeted with cheers from the university students who had petitioned against it. Academics in England have shown a fear that the cuts made to education spending show a lack of support particularly for scientific research in the UK which was considered to be at crisis level.1985-03-11In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of Soviet Russia, a day after the death of former leader, Konstantin Chernenko. Gorbachev made significant changes to government policy in Russia allowing for talks between the US president and Himself. These talks included reducing nuclear arms which relieved some tensions during the Cold War. His approach was not welcomed by many communist hardliners and economic problems in Russia led to increased support for Boris Yeltsin, and an attempted coup in 1991. Gorbachev survived the coup attempt but growing pressure led to his retirement on the 25th of December, 1991.               TIMELINE...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1984-02-01In 1984 the half penny is no longer legal tender in the United Kingdom.1984-02-07In 1984 Captain Bruce McCandless became the first human to experience free flight in space. The astronaut left the United States ‘Challenger shuttle and floated into space without a safety line. He then ignited his rocket backpack, which he had designed and flew approximately 320 ft from the shuttle. While in orbit at a height of 170 miles above the Earth, Captain McCandless was travelling at 175,000mph, as was the Challenger. Using his backpack he navigated his way back to the safety of the shuttle.1984-04-23   On this day in 1984 The Virus which causes the deadly ‘Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome” or Aids was first discovered. Since the discovery of Aids in the United Sates 1981 it had been identified all over the world but the cause of the syndrome had not yet been identified. The identification of the virus meant that the production of blood test could be initiated which would help reduce the spread of the Aids. It was initially known as the HTLV-3 virus but in 1987 it became known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. The virus was known to have been spread through the transfer of human bodily fluids and was initially found in homosexual men and drug users that shared needles but it soon spread to many other demographics. Until the possibility of blood test people were able to get the virus from infected blood during transfusions and this discovery saved millions form a possible pandemic.  1984-06-20In 1984 Education Secretary Sir Keith Joseph announced that O-Levels and CSE’s will be replaced with...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1953-01-07In 1953 President Harry Truman announced that the United States of America had developed a Hydrogen Bomb (H-Bomb). The development of the hydrogen bomb by the United States marked a critical and controversial chapter in the history of nuclear weapons and the Cold War. The hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, was far more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The idea of a hydrogen bomb was first proposed during World War II. Unlike atomic bombs, which rely on nuclear fission (splitting atomic nuclei), hydrogen bombs use nuclear fusion—the same process that powers the sun—to release energy. This involves fusing lighter nuclei, such as isotopes of hydrogen, to create heavier elements. The United States began seriously pursuing the hydrogen bomb after the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, ending America's monopoly on nuclear weapons. This event, coupled with rising tensions in the Cold War, prompted President Harry S. Truman in 1950 to approve the development of a "super bomb." The first full-scale hydrogen bomb test, codenamed "Ivy Mike", was conducted on November 1, 1952, at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The explosion was equivalent to 10.4 megatons of TNT, over 500 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The successful test of the hydrogen bomb escalated the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets tested their first hydrogen bomb in 1953, initiating a period of intense competition in the development and stockpiling of increasingly powerful nuclear weapons.    1953-02-05In 1953 sweet rationing finally ended in Britain after 11 years. The...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1952-02-08In 1952 the eldest daughter of deceased King George VI officially proclaimed herself Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith (at the age of 25). Her speech to the commonwealth representatives and dignitaries, spoke explained that "By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty".1952-02-10In 1952 The Congress Party wins India’s first General Election which saw more than 100 million voters. India gained independence from the United Kingdom on the 15th of August 1947 and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the countries new Leader, but this election makes him India’s first elected Prime Minister.1952-08-03  In 1952 The United Kingdom tested their first nuclear bomb.   The first nation to create and test a nuclear bomb was the United States in July 1945 with a 20kt device named “Trinity” followed by Russia with “RDS-1” in Aug/Sep 1949. The United Kingdom tested their first nuclear bomb on the 3rd of August 1952 with “Hurricane” a 25 kiloton device tested off Western Australia. On the 13th of February 1960 France tested their 70kt “Gerboise bleue" becoming the fourth and on the 16th of October 1964 China became the fifth with their 22 kiloton device. These five nations are the only permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which is a branch of the United Nations and was founded with the UN in 1946.   After World War II these nations were considered the main victors and they maintained the most powerful military forces in the world (except France who were over taken by Japan in 2012). On the 1st of...

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TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1950-01-04In 1951 Chinese and North Korean troops were said to be close to capturing the South Korean capital city of Seoul for a second time since the war began. South Korea was invaded by the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) in June 1950, but after UN intervention they had been forced back into their own country and pursued by UN Forces. When the NKPA’s defeat seemed certain the Chinese Communist Forces (CFF) joined the North Korean forces for this counter-strike. UN forces regained control of Seoul in March 1951. After many failed attempts at peace talks, a demilitarised zone was set up between the two countries which still exists today.1950-01-21In 1950 George Orwell died. The writer of political novels such as ‘Animal Farm’ and 1984 died on this day in 1950 from a haemorrhage in a London hospital after his three-year battle with tuberculosis. George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, British India, was a British writer, journalist, and critic known for his profound insights into politics, society, and human nature. His works, including Animal Farm and 1984, have become cornerstones of modern literature and political thought, exploring themes such as authoritarianism, propaganda, and social justice. Early Life Orwell was born into a middle-class family with connections to the British Empire. Educated at prestigious institutions like Eton College, he later chose a non-traditional path, rejecting his privileged background to live among the working class and explore the realities of poverty. Political Awakening and Literary Beginnings After serving in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, Orwell resigned, disillusioned by colonial oppression. His experiences in Burma and later among...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1949-04-17  On this day in 1949 Ireland or Eire officially became the Republic of Ireland. Following the “Easter Uprising” (24th-30th of April 1916) public support for the Irish Republican Party had grown. On the 14th of December 1918 as part of the United Kingdom's general elections, votes cast in Ireland gave overwhelming support for the Irish Republican Party, (called Sinn Fein). However there was still massive support for the Unionist Party in the northern province of Ulster (this region would later become Northern Ireland).  Instead of the elected members of Sinn Fein attending the Imperial Parliament in London, Sinn Fein created their own Parliament in Dublin called the ‘First Dáil Eirean’ (first Irish Assembly). On the 21st of January 1919 Sinn Fein declared Ireland’s Independence from the United Kingdom. On the same day two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) were shot dead. This was the beginning of the Irish War of Independence. A large group of Irish gorilla fighters formed (some from the Irish Volunteers) and by September of 1919 they would be known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The IRA began “liberating” weapons for their cause from the UK forces. The UK declared both Sinn Fein and their government illegal and sent in troops. But with the army recovering from the losses of WWI many of the troops sent were ex-soldiers. The influx of soldiers in their tanned uniform and the black uniform of the police led to their nick name of ‘Black and Tan’. Many of the troops acted less than professionally, drunk brash and badly organised. The IRA were able to...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1948-06-08In 1948 George Orwell’s classic novel Nineteen Eighty-four was first published. Nineteen Eighty-Four is the story of a totalitarian future, where the oppression of the population resembles that of the people under Stalin and Franco’s regimes but to a greater extent. This work has given the English language many additional words and phrases including Room 101, Thought Police, Big Brother, doublethink and thoughtcrime. It has been seen as a warning as to what can happen in a society without freedom of speech and with the oppression of people's ideas or points of view.1948-06-20In 1948 the Deutsch Mark was introduced to West Germany. After World War II tougher restrictions were put on Germany compared with the First World War. Part of the restrictions included the country being put under the control of the major powers of the ‘Allies’ (United Kingdom, United States, France and Russia) with each country controlling a section. Each of the four countries also controlled part of the German capital of Berlin which is situated deep within what was soviet controlled Germany. When the United States, the United Kingdom and France discussed merging their sections to form West Germany, the Soviet Union was outraged. This outrage grew when on the 20th of June 1948 they introduced the Deutsche Mark to their regions. By the 24th of June 1948, the Soviet Union set up a blockade preventing all supplies to the would-be West Berlin. For eleven months the United Kingdom and the United States flew in supplies (mainly fuel). On this day the Soviet blockade was lifted and on the 23rd of May 1949 the Western areas were united as the Federal Republic of...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1947-08-14  In 1947 Pakistan gained independence from the United Kingdom.   The government of the United Kingdom passed the Indian Independence act in 1947 which received royal ascent on the 8th of July that year making it law. The act gave independence to the subcontinent of India which had previously been under British rule. However western India had expressed its desire to become an independent dominion separate from the rest of India and therefore the act proclaimed that both India and the new dominion of Pakistan would gain there independence as of midnight between the 14th and 15th of August 1947. Pakistan now celebrate their independence on the 14th of August each year while India celebrate their independence on the 15th each year.    1947-08-15  In 1947 control of India has transferred from Britian to the Indian people.   The East India Company was formed in 1600 just as England began to make its mark as a world trading nation. The company was set up to trade with the East Indies and the company grew quickly and soon became involved in at least half of the worlds trade. With its growing success it became extremely powerful, and even had its own private army.   During the “Seven Years War” (1754-1763) on the 23rd of June 1757 the British East India Company fought against the forces of newly appointed Nawab (Asian prince) Siraj-ud-daulah and his allies of the French East India Company. The British were hugely outnumbered but won the battle. This gave the British East India Company control of Bengal and over the next hundred years their...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1946-01-10In 1946 the first meeting of the United Nations convened in London, England. The founding document, the United Nations Charter, was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco by 51 nations and came into force on October 24, 1945. The same fifty-one nations attended the first general assembly held on this day in 1946 at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. The United Nations replaced the League of Nations that disbanded shortly after World War I having failed in its main task of preventing global conflicts. It now has 193 member states, representing nearly all recognized sovereign nations with many more responsibilities. The Security Council is Responsible for maintaining peace and security. It has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) and ten elected members. The veto power of the five permanent Security Council members is often seen as undemocratic and can lead to gridlock. Despite the failings of the Security Council the UN has many more responsibilities which aid the world including the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which Coordinates the UN’s economic, social, and environmental work and oversees specialized agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UN is also responsible for the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Based in The Hague, it settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on international legal issues.  1946-04-20...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1945-01-16In 1945 Hitler descended into his bunker for the last months of the war. Hitler’s bunker situated 55ft below ground had its own water and electricity supply for the 18-roomed complex. Here Hitler remained with his companion (and soon-to-be wife) Eva Braun as well as his Alsatian called Blondi, for 105 days until both Hitler and Eva committed suicide. Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany, spent his final days in the Führerbunker, an underground bunker in Berlin, as the Allied forces closed in on the city during the final stages of World War II. The Führerbunker was part of a larger underground complex beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. Constructed in 1936 and expanded in 1944, it was designed as a secure air-raid shelter and command centre for Nazi leadership. The Vorbunker (upper section) served as living quarters for staff. The Führerbunker (lower section) was deeper underground and housed Hitler’s private quarters and office. It was reinforced with thick concrete walls and ceilings, designed to withstand heavy bombing. By April 1945, Soviet forces had surrounded Berlin, and the city was under relentless bombardment. Hitler retreated to the Führerbunker on January 16, 1945, where he directed the war effort in its final stages. The atmosphere in the bunker was tense and claustrophobic, with senior Nazi officials, military staff, and Hitler’s close associates confined to the space. As the Allies advanced, reports of defeats intensified the despair and paranoia among those present. On April 29, 1945, Hitler married Eva Braun, his long-time companion, in a brief ceremony within the bunker. Hitler refused to flee Berlin, insisting he would not be captured...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1944-01-27In 1944 the siege of Leningrad was finally over after 872 days (known as the 900-day siege). When the Germans could not take Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), the second largest city in the USSR (United Soviet States of Russia), Hitler ordered his troops to lay siege. It was one of the most devastating and prolonged sieges in modern history, lasting from September 8, 1941, to January 27, 1944, during World War II. Despite the unimaginable hardships, Leningrad’s citizens displayed remarkable resilience. Cultural life persisted as a form of defiance against the enemy. One of the most iconic moments was the performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7, written during the siege and played by the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra in 1942. Broadcast across the city and beyond, it became a powerful symbol of Soviet resistance. The frozen surface of Lake Ladoga became the city’s only lifeline during the siege. Dubbed the Road of Life, this perilous route allowed for the transport of food and supplies during winter, as well as the evacuation of some civilians. However, German artillery and airstrikes constantly threatened these critical operations, making the journey extremely dangerous. Soviet forces launched numerous counteroffensives to break the siege. In January 1943, they succeeded in opening a narrow land corridor, slightly easing the city’s plight. The complete liberation of Leningrad occurred a year later, on January 27, 1944, marking a decisive Soviet victory. The Siege of Leningrad left an indelible mark on the city and its people. Over 1 million civilians and 300,000 soldiers perished, and the psychological scars of the ordeal lasted for decades. In recognition of their extraordinary...