London

London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 8,866,180 in 2022. The wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 14.9 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years. Its ancient core and financial centre, the City of London, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and has retained its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has been the centuries-long host of the national government and parliament. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world's largest city at the time. Since the 19th century, the name "London" has referred to the metropolis around the City of London, historically split between the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent, and Hertfordshire, which since 1965 has largely comprised the administrative area of Greater London, governed by 33 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.
london

Some of the key events about London

  • 43 AD
    The city of Londinium was founded by the Romans, establishing the settlement that would become modern London
  • 1066
    Westminster Abbey was consecrated, becoming a significant religious and royal ceremonial site
  • 1215
    The Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede near London, laying the foundation for constitutional law
  • 1599
    The Globe Theatre opened, showcasing many of Shakespeare's plays and revolutionizing English theater
  • 1665
    The Great Plague of London killed an estimated 100,000 people
  • 1666
    The Great Fire of London led to major improvements in city planning and building regulations
  • 1666
    The Great Fire of London destroyed much of the medieval City of London
  • 1863
    The world's first underground railway opened in London, revolutionizing urban transportation
  • 1908
    London hosted the Olympic Games, becoming the first city to host the modern Olympics for the third time
  • 1940
    Londoners showed remarkable resilience during the Blitz, inspiring the nation during World War II
  • 1940
    The Blitz began, with London suffering intense aerial bombardment during World War II
  • 1951
    The Festival of Britain celebrated the country's recovery from World War II and showcased British innovation
  • 1952
    The Great Smog, a severe air pollution event, caused thousands of deaths
  • 1966
    The Aberfan disaster in Wales led to widespread mourning in London
  • 1974
    The IRA bombing campaign in London began, causing fear and destruction
  • 1987
    The Great Storm hit London, causing extensive damage and disruption
  • 1990
    Poll tax riots erupted in central London, leading to violence and arrests
  • 2005
    The 7/7 London bombings killed 52 people and injured hundreds more
  • 2012
    London successfully hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, demonstrating its status as a global city
  • 2017
    The Grenfell Tower fire resulted in 72 deaths and exposed social inequalities

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

London Latest news

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Court decision brings new hope for exiled Bangladesh politician's return

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London police detain 6 in major counter-terror raid targeting Kurdish center

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London police catch suspect in US Embassy security scare - what happened next?

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Breaking: Major security scare hits UK's busy Gatwick terminal today

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Police blow up strange package near London's US embassy building

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Last brush stroke: Famous post-war painter leaves behind unique legacy in London

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Bill Ackman plans big moves for his companies after Amsterdam incidents

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Court orders huge payout to Manchester bombing victims after producer's false claims

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Top reporter gets key role in London after years of conflict coverage

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Think tank: European defense upgrades still not enough to counter Russia

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How a Nigerian-raised politician became UK Conservative Party's new face

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Greek soccer club owners clash in London court over shocking billboard drama

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British farmers bring tractors to London streets over new tax rules

British farmers bring tractors to London streets over new tax rules

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Economics, Politics • December 11 2024 , 07:18 PM  •  13788 views
UK teams up with Germany to stop dangerous Channel crossings

UK teams up with Germany to stop dangerous Channel crossings

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Society, Politics • December 10 2024 , 12:34 PM  •  1492 views
Syrian power shift: Long-time ruler leaves Damascus as rebels take control

Syrian power shift: Long-time ruler leaves Damascus as rebels take control

After ruling Syria for almost quarter-century **Bashar al-Assad** left Damascus as rebel forces gained control. Russian and Iranian support couldnʼt prevent quick advances that changed power balance in the region

Society, Politics • December 8 2024 , 07:02 AM  •  2708 views
Syrian power shift: How Assad's grip on Damascus suddenly changed

Syrian power shift: How Assad's grip on Damascus suddenly changed

Long-time Syrian leader faces unexpected challenges as rebels gain ground in western regions. Former allies Russia and Iranʼs attention shifts elsewhere leaving Assadʼs position more vulnerable than ever

Society, Politics • December 7 2024 , 03:42 PM  •  2096 views
UK trains hit by nationwide tech glitch - Heathrow links affected

UK trains hit by nationwide tech glitch - Heathrow links affected

A technical fault in UK rail communication system causes service disruptions across the country. Problem mainly impacts trains leaving depots while running trains continue normal operations

Society, Business • December 6 2024 , 11:23 AM  •  607 views
British trains stop: Radio system breaks during rush hour

British trains stop: Radio system breaks during rush hour

Radio fault between train drivers and signal operators made UK railways stop working this morning. Many trains got cancelled including main airport routes in London area

Society, Business • December 6 2024 , 09:38 AM  •  2311 views
Royal welcome: Middle East leader brings billion-dollar hopes to London streets

Royal welcome: Middle East leader brings billion-dollar hopes to London streets

British royals hosted Qatarʼs top leader in London for talks about money and peace. The visit highlighted UK-Qatar partnership while bringing up sensitive topics about Middle East situation

Society, Business, Politics • December 4 2024 , 01:03 AM  •  1742 views
Three Bulgarians face court over secret military base tracking scheme in Germany

Three Bulgarians face court over secret military base tracking scheme in Germany

A group of Bulgarian citizens stands trial in London for allegedly spying on a US military facility in Germany. The case involves tracking of Ukrainian soldiers and usage of high-tech surveillance tools

Politics • December 3 2024 , 11:43 PM  •  1069 views
British PM hints at possible Ukraine peace talks while backing military aid

British PM hints at possible Ukraine peace talks while backing military aid

In a recent London speech **Keir Starmer** spoke about increasing Ukraine support to reach peace agreement. He stressed the need for European unity as Russia teams up with North Korea and Iran

Society, Politics • December 3 2024 , 01:48 PM  •  2262 views
Secret tech and storms: Inside NATO's high-stakes Baltic Sea mission

Secret tech and storms: Inside NATO's high-stakes Baltic Sea mission

A large-scale NATO drill in Baltic Sea tests new ways to protect underwater cables from damage. Recent incidents with Chinese ships and harsh weather make this exercise extra-important

Politics, Science • December 3 2024 , 10:36 AM  •  1346 views
Legendary musician shares heartbreaking health update at London theatre show

Legendary musician shares heartbreaking health update at London theatre show

Music icon **Elton John** opened up about his complete vision loss during a West End musical premiere. The 77-year-old composer cant see his new show but still enjoys its sound

Society, Culture • December 2 2024 , 01:37 PM  •  336 views
Court decision brings new hope for exiled Bangladesh politician's return

Court decision brings new hope for exiled Bangladesh politician's return

Bangladeshʼs High Court cleared former PMʼs son from 20-year-old attack charges. This ruling comes few months after current PM left country due to mass protests‚ opening door for political changes

Politics • December 2 2024 , 01:19 PM  •  46 views
Russian super-missile can reach European capitals in minutes, says Moscow

Russian super-missile can reach European capitals in minutes, says Moscow

Russia shows off its new Oreshnik missile capabilities with flight-time estimates to major European cities. **Vladimir Putin** claims the weapon cant be stopped by NATO defense systems

Politics, Science • November 30 2024 , 06:14 AM  •  4056 views
London police detain 6 in major counter-terror raid targeting Kurdish center

London police detain 6 in major counter-terror raid targeting Kurdish center

British counter-terrorism units arrested six people in London during raids connected to a banned Kurdish group. Police searched multiple locations including a community center‚ which will stay closed for investigation

Society, Politics • November 27 2024 , 03:10 PM  •  929 views
Trump's return might shake up airline industry's green fuel plans

Trump's return might shake up airline industry's green fuel plans

Aviation sector worries about green fuel tax-credits future as Trump plans to cancel Bidenʼs climate law. Current sustainable fuel production could stay but new projects face uncertainty

Business, Politics • November 26 2024 , 09:21 PM  •  1013 views
London police catch suspect in US Embassy security scare - what happened next?

London police catch suspect in US Embassy security scare - what happened next?

British law-enforcement took quick action after US Embassy security alert in London last week. Police made an arrest and found no links to other recent security incidents across the city

Society, Politics • November 25 2024 , 10:54 PM  •  1175 views
Breaking: Major security scare hits UK's busy Gatwick terminal today

Breaking: Major security scare hits UK's busy Gatwick terminal today

Gatwick Airports south terminal faced temporary shutdown due to suspicious luggage discovery today. Quick response from bomb disposal team helped restore normal operations for thousands of waiting travelers

Society, Business • November 22 2024 , 03:29 PM  •  5548 views
Police blow up strange package near London's US embassy building

Police blow up strange package near London's US embassy building

London police did a controlled blast near the US embassy after finding weird package today. The modern glass-cube embassy sits in Nine Elms area which changed a lot since its move from city center

Society, Politics • November 22 2024 , 11:38 AM  •  1404 views
Amazon tribe leaders ask UK Parliament to stop big banks' oil funding

Amazon tribe leaders ask UK Parliament to stop big banks' oil funding

Native Wampis representatives from Peru meet with British lawmakers to discuss rainforest protection. They want to stop major banks from funding oil projects that affect their Amazon homeland

Society, Business, Politics • November 22 2024 , 09:10 AM  •  3871 views
New York's first-ever traffic toll makes drivers pay for Manhattan entry

New York's first-ever traffic toll makes drivers pay for Manhattan entry

NYC plans to charge $9 for driving below 60th Street in Manhattan starting early-2024. This first-in-US program aims to cut down traffic and boost money for public transport systems

Economics, Politics • November 18 2024 , 09:21 PM  •  956 views
British leader meets Xi: New chapter in UK-China relations ahead?

British leader meets Xi: New chapter in UK-China relations ahead?

British Prime Minister makes first contact with Chinese leadership in six years at G20 summit. Both countries look to re-start economic talks and boost trade partnerships in coming months

Economics, Politics • November 18 2024 , 02:26 PM  •  1549 views
Military horse makes unexpected comeback after dramatic London escape

Military horse makes unexpected comeback after dramatic London escape

A military horse that ran through London streets after being scared by construction noise has finally returned home. The dramatic incident left both horse and riders injured requiring months of healing

Society, Culture • November 15 2024 , 07:59 PM  •  746 views
Last brush stroke: Famous post-war painter leaves behind unique legacy in London

Last brush stroke: Famous post-war painter leaves behind unique legacy in London

German-born artist who escaped Nazi regime and became British art icon has passed away at 93. His distinctive scraping technique and city scenes shaped post-war painting movement

Culture • November 12 2024 , 10:34 PM  •  1492 views
UK court sends anti-vax activist to jail for online threats during pandemic

UK court sends anti-vax activist to jail for online threats during pandemic

British court sentenced a man who posted violent messages against health officials during covid times. The 55-year old used Telegram to target scientists and government workers with threatening content

Society, Politics • November 11 2024 , 06:10 PM  •  3203 views
Bill Ackman plans big moves for his companies after Amsterdam incidents

Bill Ackman plans big moves for his companies after Amsterdam incidents

Well-known investor makes quick business decisions after troubling events in Netherlands capital. His two major companies might soon change their trading locations for both practical and ethical reasons

Business, Politics • November 9 2024 , 01:23 AM  •  3181 views
Court orders huge payout to Manchester bombing victims after producer's false claims

Court orders huge payout to Manchester bombing victims after producer's false claims

A former TV producer must pay compensation for claiming Manchester Arena attack was fake. Father and daughter who survived the bombing won their case against conspiracy theoristʼs false statements

Society, Culture • November 8 2024 , 06:30 PM  •  792 views
Top reporter gets key role in London after years of conflict coverage

Top reporter gets key role in London after years of conflict coverage

A seasoned journalist moves to head London operations after half-decade of Middle-East reporting. His experience spans from Jerusalemʼs complex stories to Ukraineʼs front-lines

Society, Politics • November 8 2024 , 02:08 PM  •  2347 views
Think tank: European defense upgrades still not enough to counter Russia

Think tank: European defense upgrades still not enough to counter Russia

European countries stepped-up military readiness after Russiaʼs actions in Crimea and Ukraine. Recent think-tank report shows more work needed to reach required defense levels

Society, Politics • November 8 2024 , 08:53 AM  •  1929 views
How a Nigerian-raised politician became UK Conservative Party's new face

How a Nigerian-raised politician became UK Conservative Party's new face

A former trade minister **Kemi Badenoch** takes charge of Britainʼs Conservative Party with a direct-speaking style. Her right-wing approach aims to win back voters from both Labour and Reform UK parties

Society, Politics • November 2 2024 , 11:42 AM  •  1490 views
Greek soccer club owners clash in London court over shocking billboard drama

Greek soccer club owners clash in London court over shocking billboard drama

A high-stakes legal battle between two Greek soccer figures hits London courts over mobile billboards and online claims. The case brings up match-fixing claims and threats from earlier soccer games

Business, Sports, Politics • October 31 2024 , 07:09 PM  •  961 views
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