World Wars, Post-war Period & Brexit (1900–present)
The First World War (1914–1918) decimated a generation: 700,000 British soldiers fell, the battlefields of the Somme and Passchendaele burned into the collective memory. Every village in Britain has a War Memorial. On Remembrance Day (11 November, 11:00 am), the whole country wears red poppies and observes two minutes of silence.
The Second World War (1939–1945) shaped the modern British self-image: The Blitz (German air raids on London, 1940–41, 30,000 dead) and Churchill's legendary speeches ("We shall fight on the beaches...") created the myth of British resilience — "Keep Calm and Carry On" is more than a poster. The Enigma decryption at Bletchley Park (Alan Turing) shortened the war by an estimated two years.
After 1945: The Empire disintegrated. India (1947), African colonies (1960s), and Hong Kong (1997) became independent. The National Health Service (NHS) was founded in 1948 — free healthcare for all, still Britain's most sacred institution. The Swinging Sixties (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Mary Quant) and the Punk Revolution (Sex Pistols, 1976) made London the cultural capital of the world.
The Brexit (23 June 2016: 52% voted for leaving the EU, executed on 31 January 2020) was the political earthquake of recent history. The consequences: new entry rules for EU citizens, trade frictions, the Northern Ireland border issue, and a divided society. For travelers, Brexit means: passport control upon entry, no EU roaming guarantee, and customs questions upon exit. Scotland (62% for Remain) continues to discuss independence.
