Afghanistan gains full independence from the United Kingdom.

The British install the son of Sharif Hussein bin Ali (leader of the Arab Revolt of 1916 against the Ottoman Empire) as King Faisal I of Iraq.

The United Kingdom ends its protectorate over Egypt through a Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

The League of Nations awards mandates of Togoland to France and Tanganyika to the United Kingdom.

In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his men find the entrance to Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

The BBC begins radio service in the United Kingdom.

British explorer Howard Carter discovers the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor, Egypt.

The United Kingdom recognizes the USSR.

UK General Strike 1926: In the United Kingdom, a nine-day general strike by trade unions ends.

Treaty of Jedda: the United Kingdom recognizes the sovereignty of King Ibn Saud in the Kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd, which later merge to become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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.

The United Kingdom, Japan and the United States sign the London Naval Treaty regulating submarine warfare and limiting shipbuilding.

Resignation of the United Kingdom's Second Labour Government. Formation of the UK National Government.

Iraq gains independence from the United Kingdom.

The driving test is introduced in the United Kingdom.

The Daventry Experiment, Robert Watson-Watt carries out a demonstration near Daventry which leads directly to the development of RADAR in the United Kingdom.

The first driving tests are introduced in the United Kingdom.

Aden becomes a British crown colony.

At 2:00 am, Britain, France, Germany and Italy sign the Munich Agreement, allowing Germany to occupy the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.

World War II: France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, forming the Allies.

World War II: A German U-boat ''U 29'' sinks the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous.

World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

World War II: Norwegian, French, Polish and British forces recapture Narvik in Norway. This is the first allied infantry victory of the War.

World War II: 13,000 British and French troops surrender to Major General Erwin Rommel at Saint-Valery-en-Caux.

World War II: the United Kingdom and the Vichy France government break off diplomatic relations.

World War II: The Battle of Britain ends – the United Kingdom prevents a German invasion.

The German cruiser ''Atlantis'' captures top secret British mail, and sends it to Japan.

World War II: The United Kingdom launches Operation Claymore on the Lofoten Islands.

World War II: The Italian convoy ''Duisburg'', directed to Tunisia, is attacked and destroyed by British ships.

World War II: concerned that Reza Pahlavi the Shah of Persia is about to ally his petroleum-rich empire with Nazi Germany during World War II, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union invade Iran in late August and force the Shah to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

World War II: The United Kingdom declares war on Finland in support of the Soviet Union during the Continuation War.

World War II: The Allies bombard Bangkok, leading Thailand to the decision of war declaration against the United States and United Kingdom .

World War II: Thailand declares war on the United States and United Kingdom.

World War II: The United Kingdom declares war on Thailand.

World War II: The Fall of Singapore. Following an assault by Japanese forces, the British General Arthur Percival surrenders. About 80,000 Indian, United Kingdom and Australian soldiers become prisoners of war, the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. The Sook Ching massacre begins.

World War II: The Fall of Singapore. Following an assault by Japanese forces, the British General Arthur Percival surrenders. About 80,000 Indian, United Kingdom and Australian soldiers become prisoners of war, the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. The Sook Ching massacre begins.

World War II: In occupied France, British naval forces raid the German-occupied port of St. Nazaire.

Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi is arrested in Bombay by British forces, launching the Quit India Movement.

Holocaust: In the United Kingdom, leading clergymen and political figures hold a public meeting to register outrage over Nazi Germany's persecution of Jews.

World War II: The United States and United Kingdom give up territorial rights in China.