Stock Market Crash
Dramatic falls in the stock market following "black monday" in Wall St
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Margaret Hilda Thatcher Biography and Timeline — Page 12
Follow Margaret Hilda Thatcher through 580 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
580Distinct records
12 of 15Page
1987–1989Years on this page
1987
Speech
Quoted in the press saying, "there is no such thing as society"
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Election
Agrees on the eve of the election with Lawson & Walker to privatize electricity
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
NHS AIDS Ward Government
The Conservative Party Government is in office as this NHS milestone occurs: Britain's first purpose-built AIDS ward opens at the Middlesex Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS AIDS Ward NHS Development
This NHS development occurs while Margaret Hilda Thatcher serves as Prime Minister: Britain's first purpose-built AIDS ward opens at the Middlesex Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS AIDS Ward
During Margaret Hilda Thatcher's government, britain's first purpose-built AIDS ward opens at the Middlesex Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS Heart Lung and Liver Transplant Government
The Conservative Party Government is in office as this NHS milestone occurs: The world's first heart, lung and liver transplant is carried out at Papworth Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS Heart Lung and Liver Transplant NHS Development
This NHS development occurs while Margaret Hilda Thatcher serves as Prime Minister: The world's first heart, lung and liver transplant is carried out at Papworth Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS Heart Lung and Liver Transplant
During Margaret Hilda Thatcher's government, the world's first heart, lung and liver transplant is carried out at Papworth Hospital.
Role range: 1979-1990
Privatization
The British Airports Authority is sold for œ1,281 million. Rolls Royce is sold for œ1,363 million. British Airways is sold for œ900 million. Agrees on the eve of the election with Lawson & Walker to privatize electricity
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Banking Act
Banking Act 1987 strengthens banking supervision after earlier banking failures
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Consumer Protection Act
Consumer Protection Act 1987 introduces product liability and consumer safety provisions
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Criminal Justice Act
Criminal Justice Act 1987 creates the Serious Fraud Office and changes fraud investigation powers
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
1988
Reform of Government
The Government proposes football fans should carry ID cards, later abandoned
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Strike
The NUS calls a national strike in support of the 161 crew sacked by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for refusing to accept new terms & conditions
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
National Union of Seamen (NUS)
The National Union of Seamen (NUS) backs down in the High Court after a three-day stoppage, which has stifled seafaring trade and transport in the UK
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Strike
The National Union of Seamen (NUS) backs down in the High Court after a three-day stoppage, which has stifled seafaring trade and transport in the UK
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Strike
Thousands of seamen at major british ports are continuing to strike even though their union has called an end to the action
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Brexit
Delivers the Bruges speech criticising centralising tendencies in Europe.
Role range: 1979-1990
Bruges Speech
Thatcher delivers a major speech criticising European centralisation.
Role range: 1979-1990
Foreign Policy Statement at Bruges
Speaks of her unease at the prospect of a re-united Germany
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Health Reform
The DHSS is split into the Health & Social Security Departments
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Legislation
The Employment Act gives union members access to accounts. The Employment Act creates a special commissioner. Criminal Justice Act, the Attorney General to appeal against Crown Court sentences
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Legislation
The Employment Act gives union members the right not to strike. The Employment Act gives union members the right not to be disciplined by their unions. The Employment Act gives union members access to accounts. The DHSS is split into the Health & Social Security Departments. Criminal Justice Act, the Attorney General to appeal against Crown Court sentences
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
NHS Breast Screening Government
The Conservative Party Government is in office as this NHS milestone occurs: Free breast screening is introduced for women over 50.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS Breast Screening NHS Development
This NHS development occurs while Margaret Hilda Thatcher serves as Prime Minister: Free breast screening is introduced for women over 50.
Role range: 1979-1990
NHS Breast Screening
During Margaret Hilda Thatcher's government, free breast screening is introduced for women over 50.
Role range: 1979-1990
Privatization
British Steel is sold for œ2,500 million
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Reform of Legal System
The Employment Act gives union members the right not to strike. The Employment Act gives union members the right not to be disciplined by their unions. The Employment Act gives union members access to accounts. The DHSS is split into the Health & Social Security Departments. Criminal Justice Act, the Attorney General to appeal against Crown Court sentences
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Speech
Makes her Bruges speech in which she recalls how Britain stood alone in 1940
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
TECs
Establishes TECs & decentralizes training & increases employer input
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Copyright Designs and Patents Act
Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 modernises copyright, design, and patent law
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Education Reform Act
Education Reform Act 1988 creates the national curriculum and changes school and higher education governance
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Housing Act
Housing Act 1988 creates assured tenancies and reforms private rented housing
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Local Government Finance Act
Local Government Finance Act 1988 creates the community charge and national non-domestic rating
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
1989
Bombing of Pam Am Flight 103
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am Flight 103, saying in a TV interview that revenge "can affect innocent people"
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am Flight 103, saying in a TV interview that revenge "can affect innocent people"
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Britain
The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie. Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Reform of Taxation
The Poll tax is introduced in Scotland
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Crisis
Leon Brittan reveals PMs Private Secretary & Press Officer leaked the Westland letter
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.