Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03

1966 in Great Britain — Page 2

Explore 355 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1966.

Historical records for Great Britain in 1966

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 355 unique records.

355Unique records
2 of 9Page
38Named events on this page
21Named people on this page
6Places on this page

April

Ulster Protestant Volunteers

Paisley, Ian Richard Kyle · Reverand · Politics / Ulster Unionist Party

Paisley, along with Noel Doherty establishes the Ulster Constitution Defence Committee, which in turn establishes the paramilitary organisation Ulster Protestant Volunteers at a parade in the Shankill area of Belfast

Shadow Minister

Thatcher, Margaret Hilda · Shadow Spokesman-Treasury · Government / Conservative Party Government

Appointed Shadow Treasury Spokesman, deputy to Iain Macleod

Beatles, The

Harrison, George · Member of Beatles · Arts / Popular Music

The Beatles start recording George Harrisons, "Taxman"

Nationalization

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel

Speech

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel

University of Aston Charter

Dix, Gerald · Birmingham · Vice-Chancellor · Science / Education

The College of Advanced Technology receives a royal charter as the University of Aston.

May

Cup Winners Cup Final

Shankly, Bill · Glasgow · Manager · Sport / Football

Manages Liverpool in the Cup Winners' Cup final against Borussia Dortmund at Hampden Park.

Cup Winners Cup Final Equaliser

Hunt, Roger · Glasgow · Forward · Sport / Football

Scores Liverpool's equaliser against Borussia Dortmund at Hampden Park.

Paint It Black

Jones, Brian · London · Member of Rolling Stones · Arts / Popular Music

Brian Jones's sitar part helps define the Rolling Stones single Paint It Black.

Strike

Wilson, Harold · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

Summons the seamen's leaders to Downing St to avert a strike but the strike continues

FA Cup Final Winning Goal

Temple, Derek · Wembley · Forward · Sport / Football

Derek Temple scores the winning goal after Everton overturn Sheffield Wednesday’s lead in a memorable Wembley final.

Two Goals In Wembley Comeback

Trebilcock, Mike · Wembley · Forward · Sport / Football

Mike Trebilcock scores twice as Everton recover from a two-goal deficit to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 in the FA Cup final.

Saul Develops Tottenham Forward Combination

Saul, Frank · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Frank Saul offered Tottenham another mobile forward option alongside established goalscorer Jimmy Greaves during the mid-1960s. His willingness to run beyond defenders helped the club maintain attacking depth ahead of its 1967 FA Cup success.

State of Emergency

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

A state of emergency is declared in response to the seamen's strike

June

Sunny Afternoon

Davies, Raymond Douglas · London · Member of The Kinks · Arts / Popular Music

The Kinks release Sunny Afternoon.

Abortion Bill

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Abortion Bill passes its second reading

Reform of Abortion Law

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Abortion Bill passes its second reading

East of Suez

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

Denis Healey faces Commons questions on reducing Britain's military commitment east of Suez.

Strike

Wilson, Harold · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The strike comes to an end when payscales are agreed

World Cup Squad Selection

Ball, Alan James · London · Sport / Football

The youngest member of the squad of 22 selected by Ramsey for the tournament, aged only 21.

July

Devaluation

Callaghan, James · London · Chancellor of the Exchequer · Government / Labour Party Government

Says devaluation of the pound is unnecessary

Devaluation

Callaghan, James · London · Chancellor of the Exchequer · Government / Labour Party Government

Pompidous policy to devalue puts pressure on Callaghan to propose devaluation

Reform of Prices and Incomes

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Prices & Incomes Bill is published. Companies & Unions must give advance warning of any wage or price increases

Reform of Sexual Offences Law

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

The Sexual Offences Bill, legalizing homosexuality, passes its second reading

England Opening Match Appearance

Connelly, John · London · Winger · Sport / Football

Starts England's goalless opening match against Uruguay, making his sole appearance in the host nation's successful World Cup campaign.

Opening Match Clean Sheet

Banks, Gordon · London · Goalkeeper · Sport / Football

Keeps Uruguay from scoring in England's opening World Cup match at Wembley, a 0-0 draw that begins the hosts' unbeaten tournament run.

Right Back In Opening Draw

Cohen, George · London · Defender · Sport / Football

Starts at right-back as England face Uruguay in the opening match, forming part of a defence that prevents the South American side from scoring.

World Cup Group Match Against Uruguay

Greaves, Jimmy · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Greaves started England's opening World Cup match against Uruguay, which ended in a goalless draw at Wembley.

Goal Completes Mexico Victory

Hunt, Roger · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Scores England's second goal against Mexico after Bobby Charlton has opened the scoring, sealing a 2-0 group-stage victory at Wembley.

Long Range Goal Against Mexico

Charlton, Bobby · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Breaks the deadlock against Mexico with a notable long-range effort, giving England the lead in a group match that they win 2-0.

Suez Canal

Wilson, Harold · Suez Canal · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

It is announced that British forces will withdraw from Suez by the mid 70s

Budget

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

Surtax introduced & public investments cut. Incomes & prices are frozen for 6 months. HP controls are tightened, indirect taxes & post office charges raised. Announces a package of cuts in the House of Commons, in preference to devaluation

Arrest of Ian Richard Kyle Paisley

Paisley, Ian Richard Kyle · Ulster · Reverand · Politics / Ulster Unionist Party

Imprisoned for a breach of the peace at a Church assembly

Deflation

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

Produces a deflationary package to stabilise the pound

Injury Against France Changes England Forward Line

Greaves, Jimmy · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Greaves suffered a leg injury in the final group match with France and lost his starting position during England's run to the trophy.

Midfield Screening In France Match

Stiles, Nobby · London · Midfielder · Sport / Football

Performs a defensive midfield role as England defeat France 2-0, limiting opportunities through the centre and preserving another clean sheet.

Opening Goal Against France

Hunt, Roger · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Gives England the lead against France in their final group match, beginning a two-goal display that secures first place in the group.

Prices & Incomes

Wilson, Harold · London · Prime Minister of United Kingdom · Government / Labour Party Government

Launches a 6 month freeze on prices & wages

Second Goal Secures Group Leadership

Hunt, Roger · London · Forward · Sport / Football

Scores a second time against France at Wembley, completing a 2-0 victory and ensuring England progress to the quarter-finals as group winners.

Third Consecutive Group Clean Sheet

Charlton, Jack · London · Defender · Sport / Football

Helps England keep France scoreless in their final group fixture, extending the host nation's run of defensive shutouts before the knockout stage.

How these records were prepared

Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.