British Empire Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / British Empire

British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power...

Timeline of Events

1752

9.14.1752

The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days (the previous day was September 2).

1755

7.25.1755

British governor Charles Lawrence and the Nova Scotia Council order the deportation of the Acadians. Thousands of Acadians are sent to the British Colonies in America, France and England. Some later move to Louisiana, while others resettle in New Brunswick.

1756

6.20.1756

A British garrison is imprisoned in the Black Hole of Calcutta.

1806

10.8.1806

Napoleonic Wars: Forces of the British Empire lay siege to the port of Boulogne in France by using Congreve rockets, invented by Sir William Congreve.

1807

3.25.1807

The Slave Trade Act becomes law, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.

1819

2.19.1819

British explorer William Smith discovers the South Shetland Islands, and claims them in the name of King George III.

1834

8.1.1834

Slavery is abolished in the British Empire as the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into force.

1838

8.1.1838

Non-labourer slaves in most of the British Empire are emancipated.

1840

8.1.1840

Labourer slaves in most of the British Empire are emancipated.

1863

10.31.1863

The Maori Wars resumes as British forces in New Zealand led by General Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato.

1885

3.30.1885

The Battle for Kushka triggers the Pandjeh Incident which nearly gives rise to war between the British Empire and Russian Empire.

1887

10.1.1887

Balochistan is conquered by the British Empire.

1907

9.26.1907

New Zealand and Newfoundland each become dominions within the British Empire.

1909

2.23.1909

The AEA Silver Dart makes the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire.

1914

8.12.1914

World War I: the United Kingdom declares war on Austria-Hungary; the countries of the British Empire follow suit.

1922

2.6.1922

The Washington Naval Treaty is signed in Washington, D.C., limiting the naval armaments of United States, Britain, Japan, France, and Italy.

1930

3.12.1930

Mahatma Gandhi leads a 200-mile march, known as the ''Dandi March'', to the sea in defiance of British opposition, to protest the British monopoly on salt.

4.5.1930

In an act of civil disobedience, Mohandas Gandhi breaks British law after marching to the sea and making salt.

4.6.1930

Gandhi raises a lump of mud and salt and declares, "With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire." beginning the Salt Satyagraha.

1941

1.22.1941

World War II: British and Commonwealth troops capture Tobruk from Italian forces during Operation Compass.

1947

8.14.1947

Pakistan gains Independence from the British Indian Empire and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.

8.15.1947

India gains Independence from the British Indian Empire and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.

1959

12.3.1959

The current flag of Singapore is adopted, six months after Singapore became self-governing within the British Empire.