Great Britain is the Russian version of the name of the United Kingdom. The state is located on two islands, although it shares the second with Ireland. The islands are located northwest of the European part of the mainland.
Modern state
Great Britain, the photos of which are presented in this article, is one of the largest states in Europe. It has a permanent membership in the UN Security Council, belongs to the nuclear powers.
The modern state consists of four countries, although it has a unitary structure. The capital is the city of London, which is one of the largest centers of world trade and finance. English is recognized as the state language, but residents speak many of its dialects.
History
Population by people of the modern type of the territory of the island began 30 thousand years ago. It went in waves. They lived mainly Britons and Gaels, who belonged to the culture of the Celts.
From the first century BC. the conquest of lands by Rome began, which ruled in the southern part of the island for about 400 years. At the same time, the invasion began. German Anglo-Saxon settlers. Their gradual assimilation with the Celts and the creation of the Kingdom of England took place. Part of the Britons settled in what is now Wales. The Gaels created the Scottish kingdom with the Picts.
In 1066, the Norman invasion of England began. It brought French feudalism and culture. Although over time, the Norman-French population assimilated with the locals. England captured Wales and made attempts to capture Scotland. England also entered into a struggle for the inheritance of significant lands of France. This unleashed the Hundred Years' War.
In the Middle Ages, Wales fully joined England, and Ireland was allied with her. The ideas of the Reformation spread in the kingdom, as a result of which the Anglican Church was formed with the monarch at the head.
Under James the First, a union was formed between England, Scotland, Ireland. Countries retained separate political entities. As a result of further events, the Glorious Revolution (1688) took place, and Great Britain became a constitutional monarchy.
In the 18th century, the industrial revolution took place in the state, which positively influenced the growth of the empire. Mass colonization began, mostly in North America, and later in Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
In the 19th century, the Kingdom became the world's major economic and maritime power. This continued until the middle of the 20th century.
In World War I, the Kingdom was an ally of Russia and France. On the Western Front fought against the Germaninvaders about 5 million inhabitants of the island. After winning the war, the Kingdom received the former German and Ottoman colonies. This allowed the empire to grow to its greatest extent. She covered with her power a fifth of the land. But already by 1921, the island of Ireland was actually divided into two parts - Free Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Great Depression of 1929-1932 led to great unrest. This was followed by World War II. The kingdom acted as an ally of France, Russia, and the USA. The struggle with Germany was concentrated in two battles - for Britain, for the Atlantic. The victory brought Britain participation in the division of the post-war world, as well as a difficult financial situation. She was helped by loans from the United States and Canada. Then the restoration and further development of the state began.
History of the flag
Before becoming what it is today, the flag of Great Britain has come a long way of transformation. This symbol of state power is known throughout the world, it is used in fashion design, architecture and art. Officially, it is often called the "Union Jack", that is, "union".
The scheme allows you to see the entire path of transformation since 1603, when Jacob the First came to power. Initially, it was used in the navy, which is why the name "Jack" appeared, which meant the bow flag on the ship.
The flag consists of the following parts:
- St. Andrew's flag - blue background, white oblique cross;
- St. George's flag - white background, red cross;
- St. Patrick's cross - white background,red oblique cross.
At the same time, the "Union Jack" does not reflect the symbols of Wales, which is why disputes periodically arise within the Union Kingdom.
In order for the crosses not to occupy a dominant place on the cloth, they are shifted from the center in different directions. This made the Union Jack unsymmetrical. Placing it upside down for no reason is considered an insult. This option is allowed to send a distress signal.
Battles on the territory of the country
In the entire history of the existence of the state, relatively few battles took place on its territory. This is due to some remoteness of the island from the European continent.
Britain's greatest battles:
- The victory of William the Conqueror (Normandy) over Harold (the Anglo-Saxon army) at Hastings on 1066-14-10 opened the way to the Norman conquest;
- 1485 battle near Bosworth between the forces of Henry Tudor and Richard III (War of the Scarlet and White Roses from 1455 to 1485, related to the right of succession);
- battle against the Spanish "Invincible Armada" in the English Channel (July 1588) ended thanks to the skills of Francis Drake with the victory of England, which became the mistress of the seas;
- battle of Marston Moor in the summer of 1644, when the troops of Oliver Cromwell defeated the forces of Charles I;
- Battle of Britain (July-October 1940) is the largest air battle, in which the Wehrmacht lost 3,000 pilots, and the Royal Air Force 1,800 airmen and more than 20,000 civilians of the island;
- Battle of the Atlantic (September 1939-June 1944) is consideredthe longest battle on which the supply of food to the islands and the supply of weapons to the allied forces depended; the victory over the German troops turned into the death of 50 thousand sailors for the allied countries.
The greatest battles in the history of Britain were not limited to the territory of the island. The largest of them took place on the water and in the air.
Battles in the interests of the empire
Becoming a mighty power in the world, Great Britain pursued a colonial policy. In order to keep vast territories under its rule, it used mercenary troops, the bulk of which were foreign legionnaires. They were controlled by English officers.
Colony Battles:
- 1781 - the surrender of the British troops at Yorktown in favor of the French-American enemy decided the outcome of the American War of Independence.
- The year 1842 was marked by a horrific event for the Kingdom, when Elphinstone's detachment was destroyed almost without a fight, leaving Kabul with women and children (16 thousand people), from which only one person survived.
- 1858 - the siege and capture of Delhi by the British troops together with the allies as a result of the suppression of the sepoy uprising.
- 1860 - the decisive defeat of the Chinese troops by the Anglo-French army in the First Opium War, which led to the Beijing Treaties.
The troops of the Kingdom participated in their time in the Hundred Years War, as well as in the First and Second World Wars. As a result of these confrontations, many famousbattles on land, on water, and in the air.
Commonwe alth countries
The United Kingdom, although a unitary state, is still made up of several somewhat autonomous units.
Countries of Great Britain:
- England;
- Wales;
- Scotland;
- Northern Ireland.
Besides this, there is the so-called Commonwe alth of Nations, which includes more than 50 states. In addition to Great Britain, these include its former dominions, protectorates and colonies. The largest of them are Australia, Bangladesh, India, Canada, Nigeria, Pakistan and others.
Major cities
Of course, the largest and most important in economic, political, financial, cultural terms is London. Besides him, there are other great cities of Britain:
- Birmingham;
- Liverpool;
- Manchester;
- Glasgow;
- Cardiff;
- Edinburgh;
- Belfast.
Great artists
Britain's cultural greats are known far beyond their island:
- Agatha Christie - writer, author of detective stories;
- JK Rowling is a writer;
- Sir Sean Connery - actor;
- John Lennon - musician;
- William Shakespeare - playwright;
- Jane Austen is a writer;
- Vivienne Westwood - designer;
- Sir Paul McCartney - musician, activist;
- H. G. Wales - writer;
- Joe Cocker is a musician.
It's far awaynot a complete list of representatives of the United Kingdom, who conquered the world with their creativity.
Great Monarchs of the Kingdom
During the existence of the state, the most famous monarchs of England were:
- William the Conqueror;
- Richard the Lionheart;
- Henry the Eighth;
- Elizabeth the First;
- Victoria;
- Georg the Sixth;
- Elizabeth II.
Great Britain has extended its dominance throughout the world. The modern Commonwe alth of Nations still recognizes Elizabeth II as its Queen.
Kingdom ruling family
The modern monarch is a representative of the Windsor dynasty. Elizabeth II came to power in 1952. She has three sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.
The history of Great Britain for many contemporaries is already unthinkable without the royal family. The queen herself has become a real symbol of her state.
Great Politicians of the Kingdom
The state has long existed as a parliamentary monarchy. Royal power is limited by a bicameral parliament. Most of the power does not belong to the royal family, but to the head of government (prime minister).
Great Britain, whose photos are presented in this material, has grown many famous politicians in its history. Most influential government officials:
- Winston Churchill;
- Margaret Thatcher;
- David Cameron;
- William Wilberforce;
- Tony Blair;
- CatherineAshton;
- Oliver Cromwell;
- William Gladson;
- Neville Chamberlain;
- Benjamin Disraeli.
Great Britain Holidays
List of major holidays and festivals throughout the year:
January 1 - New Year (day off). Magnificently celebrated more in Scotland than in England and Wales. There is a tradition of the first guest, according to which it is preferable that a young man with dark hair enter the house after 24.00. It was customary to bring bread, a pinch of s alt, coal, which serve as a symbol of food, prosperity, warmth. In Scotland, it is customary to cook the famous haggis for the festive table.
January 12 is a festival of Celtic culture. It takes place in Glasgow, its duration is 19 days. Artists from different countries perform.
January 25 is Robert Burns Day. National holiday in Scotland, where the famous poet was from. The holiday is held in the form of a dinner according to a special scenario. During the action, poems and songs are heard. National costumes are taken out of the wardrobes, and everyone is dancing folk dances.
January 27 - Apkhellio is celebrated in Scotland, which symbolizes the landing of the Vikings on the coast of Great Britain in the 9th century. A model of a Viking ship is being created, everyone is dressed in historical costumes and the ship is carried through the whole city to the sea. On the water, a Viking boat is burned by throwing 900 burning torches at it.
March 1 is St. David's Day. The holiday takes place in Wales in the form of a cultural and patriotic festival.
March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, an Irish holiday thattakes place in the form of costumed parades, accompanied by brass bands. On this day, everything goes green, including beer and clothes.
April 14 is the annual London Floral Marathon, which is part of a charity with lots of street entertainment and performances.
April 21 is Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.
May 1 - Whiskey Festival in the United Kingdom.
May 4 - May Day, festivities and street processions.
May 25 - Spring Day in the UK (public holiday). On this day, all the streets are covered with flowers, costumed processions take place.
June 1 - Wimbledon tennis tournament.
October 31 - Halloween.
December 25 - Christmas.
26 December is Boxing Day. It is dedicated to Saint Stephen. In churches, donation boxes were opened at this time, and in homes, servants were allowed to go home for dinner with their families.
There are many holidays that do not have a fixed date. Holy Friday is a public holiday - the Friday before Easter Sunday. Then comes Catholic Easter.
The holidays of the Kingdom are closely connected with the history of the island. They allow you to delve into the culture of the British, to get to know them from an unusual side.
