First section of M1 motorway opened
Treaty of Rome to create European Economic Community (EEC) of six countries: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg - became operational Jan 1958
Commercial TV starts in Britain
Food rationing officially ends in Britain
Francis Crick and James D Watson publish the double helix structure of DNA
First commercial jet airliner service launched, by BOACComet between London and Johannesburg
National Health Service (NHS) begins in Britain
School leaving age raised to 15 in Britain
VE Day (Victory in Europe). Atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
D-Day invasion of Normandy
Germans defeated at Stalingrad
First use of antibiotics
Battle of Britain: massive waves of German air attacks decisively repulsed by the RAF - Hitler postpones invasion of Britain
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Orson Welles broadcasts his radio play of HG Wells 'The War of the Worlds', causing panic in the USA
First flight of a Spitfire
King George V opens Mersey Tunnel
Hitler becomes Fuehrer of Germany
Minimum age for a marriage in Britain (which had been 14 for a boy and 12 for a girl) now 16 for both sexes, with parental consent (or a licence) needed for anyone under 21
Sir Alexander Fleming accidentally discovers penicillin (results published 1929)
Women over 21 get vote in Britain - same qualification for both sexes
Release of the first 'talkie' film (The Jazz Singer)
Adoption of children is legalised in Britain
1905 - Abt 1982 (76 years)
