Great Britain: photos, history, flag, holidays, cities and countries, great people, the greatest battles in the history of Britain

Great Britain is a Russian version of the name of the United Kingdom. The state is located on two islands, although the second one shares with Ireland. The islands are located to the north-west of the European part of the mainland.

The modern state

Great Britain, the photo of which is presented in this article, is one of the largest states in Europe. It has a permanent membership in the UN Security Council, refers to nuclear powers.

There is a modern state of four countries, although it has a unitary structure. The capital is the city of London, which belongs to the largest centers of world trade and finance. The official language is English, but the inhabitants speak many of its dialects.

History

Settlement of people of the modern type of the island began 30 thousand years ago. It passed by waves. Lived primarily Britons and gels, belonging to the culture of the Celts.

From the first century BC. The conquest of lands began with Rome, which ruled in the southern part of the island for about 400 years. At the same time, the invasion of German Anglo-Saxon settlers began. There was their gradual assimilation with the Celts and the creation of the Kingdom of England. Part of the Britons settled in the territory of modern Wales. The Gauls created with the Picts the Scottish Kingdom.

In 1066 the Norman invasion of England began. It brought French feudalism and culture. Although eventually the Norman-French population assimilated with the locals. England captured Wales and undertook attempts to capture Scotland. Also, England entered the struggle for the legacy of the land of France. This unleashed the Hundred Years War.

In the Middle Ages, Wales fully joined England, and Ireland was in union with her. In the kingdom, the ideas of the Reformation spread, resulting in the formation of an Anglican church with a monarch at the head.

Under Jacob the First, a union was formed between England, Scotland, and Ireland. Countries retained separate political entities. As a result of further events, the Glorious Revolution took place (1688), and Great Britain became a constitutional monarchy.

In the 18th century, an industrial revolution took place in the state, which positively influenced the growth of the empire. Mass development of colonies 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 the First World War, the Kingdom was an ally of Russia and France. On the Western Front, about 5 million inhabitants of the island fought against the German invaders. After the victory in the war, the Kingdom received former German and Ottoman colonies. This allowed the empire to expand to its largest size. She covered with her power a fifth of the land. But by 1921 the island of Ireland actually divided into two parts - Free Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Great disorders led to the Great Depression of 1929-1932. This was followed by the Second World War. The Kingdom acted as an ally of France, Russia, the United States. The struggle against Germany was concentrated in two battles - for Britain, for the Atlantic. The victory brought Britain a part in the division of the postwar world, as well as a difficult financial situation. Help it provided loans to the US and Canada. Then the restoration and further development of the state began.

History of the flag

Before becoming like today, the flag of Great Britain has come a long way of transformation. This symbol of state power is known all over the world, it is used in the design of clothing, architecture and art. Officially it is often called "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. Originally it was used in the Navy, so the name "Jack" appeared, which meant a nasal flag on the ship.

The flag consists of the following parts:

• The flag of St. Andrew - blue background, white oblique cross;
• Flag of St. George - white background, red cross;
• Cross of St. Patrick - white background, red oblique cross.

In this case, "Union Jack" does not reflect the symbolism of Wales, because of which there are occasional disputes within the Union Kingdom.

In order that the crosses do not occupy the dominant position on the panel, they are displaced from the center in different directions. This made Union Jack unsymmetrical. Placing it upside down for no reason is considered an insult. This option is acceptable for the distress signal.

Battles in the country

In the history of the state's existence, there have been relatively few battles in its territory. This is due to some remoteness of the island from the European continent.

Greatest battles of Britain:

• The victory of William the Conqueror (Normandy) over Harold (Anglo-Saxon army) at Hastings on October 14, 106, opened the way to the Norman conquest;
• The battle of 1485 near Bosworth between the forces of Henry Tudor and Richard the Third (the War of the Roses from 1455 to 1485, connected with the right of succession to the throne);
• The battle against the Spanish "Invincible Armada" in the English Channel (July 1588) ended thanks to the skills of Francis Drake by the victory of England, which became the mistress of the seas;
• The Battle of Marston-Moore in the summer of 1644, when Oliver Cromwell's troops routed the forces of Charles the First;
• The Battle of Britain (July-October 1940) is the largest air battle, as a result of which the Wehrmacht lost 3,000 pilots, and the Royal Air Force 1800 pilots and more than 20,000 civilians on the island;
• The Battle of the Atlantic (September 1939-June 1944) is considered the longest battle, on which the supply of food to the islands and the supply of arms to the Allied forces depended; The victory over the German troops turned for the allied countries by the death of 50,000 sailors.

The greatest battles in British history were not confined to the territory of the island. The largest of them occurred on the water and in the air.

Battles in the interests of the empire

Becoming a powerful world power, Great Britain pursued a colonial policy. In order to keep huge territories under her rule, she used mercenary troops, the bulk of which were foreign legionaries. They were commanded by British officers.

Battles in the colonies:

• 1781 - the surrender of British troops at Yorktown in favor of the French-American enemy decided the outcome of the War of Independence.
• The year 1842 was marked for the Kingdom by a horrific event, when Elphinstone's detachment, who left Kabul with women and children (16,000 people), was practically destroyed without a fight, from which one person remained alive.
• 1858 - the siege and capture of Delhi by the British troops together with the allies as a result of suppression of the revolt of the sepoys.
• 1860 - the decisive defeat of Chinese troops from 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 famous battles took place on land, on water, and in the air.

Countries that are members of the Commonwealth

The United Kingdom, although a unitary state, nevertheless consists of several autonomous units to some extent.

Countries of Great Britain:

• England;
• Wales;
• Scotland;
• Northern Ireland.

In addition, there is the so-called Commonwealth of Nations, which includes more than 50 states. In addition to Great Britain, they include its former dominions, protectorates and colonies. The largest of them are Australia, Bangladesh, India, Canada, Nigeria, Pakistan and others.

Largest cities

Undoubtedly, London is the largest and most important economic, political, financial, cultural point of view. Besides him, there are other great cities in Britain:

• Birmingham;
• Liverpool;
• Manchester;
• Glasgow;
• Cardiff;
• Edinburgh;
• Belfast.

Great people of art

The great people of Britain in the cultural sphere are known far beyond their island:

• Agatha Christie is a writer, author of detectives;
• Joanne Rowling is a writer;
• Sir Sean Connery is an actor;
• John Lennon is a musician;
• William Shakespeare is a playwright;
• Jane Austen is a writer;
• Vivienne Westwood is a designer;
• Sir Paul McCartney is a musician, activist;
• Herbert Wales is a writer;
• Joe Cocker is a musician.

This is not 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:

• Wilgelm the conqueror;
• Richard the Lionheart;
• Henry the Eighth;
• Elizabeth the First;
• Victoria;
• George the Sixth;
• Elizabeth the Second.

Great Britain extended its domination throughout the world. The modern Commonwealth of Nations still recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as its queen.

The ruling family of the Kingdom

The modern monarch is the 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 unthinkable without the royal family. The queen herself became a true symbol of her state.

Great Kingdom Policies

The state has long existed as a parliamentary monarchy. The royal power is limited to a bicameral parliament. Most of the power belongs not to the royal family, but to the head of government (prime minister).

Great Britain, a photo of which is presented in this material, has brought many famous politicians into its history. The most influential representatives of power:

• Winston Churchill;
• Margaret Thatcher;
• David Cameron;
• William Wilberforce;
• Tony Blair;
• Catherine Ashton;
• Oliver Cromwell;
• William Gladson;
• Neville Chamberlain;
• Benjamin Disraeli.

Holidays of Great Britain

List of main holidays and festivals throughout the year:

January 1 - New Year (day off). Lush is noted 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 enters the house after 24.00. It was accepted to bring bread, a pinch of salt, coal, which serve as a symbol of food, well-being, warmth. In Scotland, it is customary to prepare a famous haggis for a festive table.

January 12 - Festival of Celtic Culture. It takes place in Glasgow, its duration is 19 days. Performed by artists from different countries.

January 25 - Robert Burns Day. A national holiday in Scotland, from where the famous poet was born. Spend a holiday in the form of dinner according to a special scenario. During the action, poetry and songs are heard. From the wardrobes national costumes go and everyone dances folk dances.

January 27 - Scotland celebrates the Aphellio holiday, which symbolizes the Vikings' landing on the shores of Britain in the 9th century. A model of a Viking ship is being created, all are dressed in historical costumes, and through the whole city they carry the ship to the sea. On the water, the Viking ship is burned, throwing 900 burning torches into it.

March 1 - St. David's Day. The festival takes place in Wales as a cultural and patriotic festival.
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day, the Irish holiday, which takes place in the form of costumed parades accompanied by brass bands. On this day everything turns green, including beer and clothes.

April 14 - the annual London Marathon Floral, which is part of a charity with lots of street entertainment and performances.

April 21 - the birthday of Elizabeth II.

May 1 - Whiskey festival in the United Kingdom.

May 4 - Mei Day, folk festivals and street processions.

May 25 - Spring Day in the UK (state holiday). On this day, all the streets are covered with flowers, costumed processions are held.

June 1 - Wimbledon tennis tournament.

October 31 - Halloween.

December 25 - Christmas.

December 26 - Boxing Day. It is dedicated to St. Stephen. In the churches, at that time, boxes were opened with donations, and in the houses the servants were released home for lunch with their families.

There are many holidays that do not have a permanent date. Holy Friday is a public holiday - this is Friday before Easter Sunday. Then follows the 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 learn them from an unusual angle.