Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
In a broadcast rules out military intervention if Rhodesia declares UDI
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Harold Wilson Biography and Timeline — Page 4
Follow Harold Wilson through 510 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Harold Wilson, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
510Distinct records
4 of 13Page
1965–1966Years on this page
1965
Reform of Capital Punishment
Abolition of capital punishment
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Independence of Great Britain
Rhodesia declares Unilateral Declaration of Independence
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Independence of Rhodesia
Rhodesia declares Unilateral Declaration of Independence
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
Condemns Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence and refuses recognition of Ian Smith's illegal regime.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Rhodesia Sanctions
Announces economic sanctions after Rhodesia's illegal declaration of independence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
United Nations
Britain supports Security Council Resolution 216 calling on states not to recognise the Rhodesian minority regime.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
United Nations
Security Council Resolution 217 condemns Rhodesia's illegal authority and calls for no diplomatic or economic relations.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Oil Sanctions
The Southern Rhodesia Petroleum Order comes into force as Britain tightens sanctions against Rhodesia.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Airports Authority Act
Airports Authority Act 1965 creates the British Airports Authority
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Concorde
Writes to Pompidou saying investment in Concorde is a luxury
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA)
Wilson's advisers Patrick Blackett and Thomas Balogh advise him to create the DEA. The DEA will undertake long-term planning of the economy and industry, while the Treasury would determine short-term revenue raising and financial management. The DEA is tasked with the preparation of a National Plan for the economy published in September 1965. The Department for Economic Affairs is established under George Brown
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Diplomatic Correspondence at London
Writes to Pompidou saying investment in Concorde is a luxury
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Election
With a majority of 1 & by-election pending wins the Territorial & Reserve Forces Bill
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Independence of Great Britain
The OAU calls members to break with Britain if Smith's regime is not brought down
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Independence of Rhodesia
The OAU calls members to break with Britain if Smith's regime is not brought down
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Legislation
The Race Relations Act outlaws discrimination & establishes a Race Relations Board
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Legislation
The Rent Act fixes fair rents for private tenants & provides security of tenure. The Redundancy Payments Act provides payments of workers who are made redundant. The Race Relations Act outlaws racial discrimination. The Race Relations Act establishes a Race Relations Board
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Murder Abolition of Death Penalty Act
Murder Abolition of Death Penalty Act 1965 suspends capital punishment for murder in Great Britain
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Oil Sanctions
Launches oil sanctions against Rhodesia for declaring UDI
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Race Relations Act
Race Relations Act 1965 creates the first British statutory controls against racial discrimination
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Redundancy Payments Act
Redundancy Payments Act 1965 creates statutory redundancy payments for qualifying employees
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Reform of Armed Forces
With a majority of 1 & by-election pending wins the Territorial & Reserve Forces Bill
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Reform of Government
The Rent Act fixes fair rents for private tenants & provides security of tenure. The Redundancy Payments Act provides payments of workers who are made redundant. The Race Relations Act outlaws racial discrimination. The Race Relations Act establishes a Race Relations Board
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Rent Act
Rent Act 1965 reforms rent control and creates machinery for fair rent regulation
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Sanctions
Launches oil sanctions against Rhodesia for declaring UDI. Falsely predicts Ian Smith's downfall as a result of sanctions
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
Launches oil sanctions against Rhodesia for declaring UDI
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Vote of Confidence
With a majority of 1 & by-election pending wins the Territorial & Reserve Forces Bill
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1966
Rule of Falkland Islands
Britain agrees to United Nations resolution to find a "peaceful solution to the problem"
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Election
Labour wins a by-election in Hull with a 4.5 percent swing in favour of the Government
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Manifesto
Begins work on, "Time for Decemberision"
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Aden
The Government announces that British forces will withdraw from Aden as part of the defence review.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Defence Review
The Defence Review sets out plans to reduce overseas commitments while retaining a limited East of Suez role.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Election
Announces a general election for the 31st of March in order to win a working majority
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Election
first day of the election campaign, Labour have a 9% lead in the polls
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Refusal to Send Troops
Rules out sending British troops to fight in Vietnam
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1964-1970
Election
The Labour Party wins 48 percent of votes cast & 364 MPs. Labour wins with 363 seats to 253 Tory, 12 Liberal & 2 others, a majority of 97
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Nationalization
The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Speech
The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Strike
Summons the seamen's leaders to Downing St to avert a strike but the strike continues
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
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.